LA JARA – The Centauri High School boys wrestling team competed at home for the first time this season as it hosted Gunnison Thursday at the CHS gym.

It was a tight match for much of the lighter weights, but the Falcons dominated in the heavier weights and went on to defeat the Cowboys, 41-24.

“Gunnison has a good team and we have a good team,” said Centauri coach Micah Keys. “There were a few good matchups. It was a good dual. A fun dual.”

Gunnison took an early 5-0 lead at 106 pounds as Zayne Benson scored a 17-2 technical fall just as the first period came to a close.

Centauri won the next three matches. First, Erik Garcia scored a takedown with 13 seconds left in the 113-pound match to defeat Braedyn Anderson by a 2-0 decision.

Noah Chavez then defeated Nolan Witzel by a 7-0 decision at 120 pounds. The first period was scoreless, but Chavez scored five points in the second period. Chavez then recorded a reversal in the third set to take the win.

At 126 pounds, Caden Casias recorded a win by technical fall over Bentley Patrick. Casias took a 16-3 lead in the first period, then scored a takedown early in the second for a 19-3 win at the 2:14 mark and the Falcons led 11-5.

The Cowboys won the next three matches. Julian Patrick took the first win by fall in the dual meet as he pinned Levy Recinos at the 4:50 mark in the 132-pound match.

Cody Casebolt then defeated Konner Horton by an 8-1 decision at 138. Casebolt had a takedown in the first period for a 3-0 lead, and he scored another takedown in the second. Horton scored an escape for his only scoring of the match. Casebolt had a reversal in the third.

In the 144-pound match, Zach Benson won by a 15-1 major decision over Aiden Knecht. Benson led 601 after the first period, and 12-1 after the second to give the Cowboys an 18-11 lead.

Centauri won the next three matches by forfeit with Noah Weyers (150), T.J. Robinson (157), and Tyson Montague (175) all having their hands raised.

The Falcons led at this point 29-18.

Gunnison received a forfeit victory as Owen Smeikal won at 190 pounds.

The Falcons won the final two matches by fall. Dorian Quintana pinned Gavin Smeikal in 41 seconds at 215, and Aaden Quintana pinned Fredy Barnabe in 56 seconds at 285.

Centauri will be at the Mel Smith Invitational in Florence this weekend. It will then have its first Intermountain League match at Monte Vista this coming Thursday.

“It’s the best 3A tournament in the state,” Keys said. “We’re getting to the nitty gritty. It should be fun.”

Centauri 41, Gunnison 24

106 – Zay. Benson (G) tech. fall over Medina, 17-2, 2:00; 113 – Garcia (C) 2-0 dec. over Anderson; 120 – Chavez (C) 7-0 dec. over Witzel; 126 – Casias (C) tech. fall over B. Patrick, 19-3, 2:14; 132 – J. Patrick (G) pinned Recinos, 4:50; 138 – Casebolt (G) 8-1 dec. over Horton; 144 – Zac. Benson (G) 15-1 maj. dec. over Knecht; 150 – Weyers (C) by forfeit; 157 – Robinson (C) by forfeit; 165 – no match; 175 – Montague (C) by forfeit; 190 – O. Smeikal (G) by forfeit; 215 – D. Quintana (C) pinned G. Smeikal, 0:41; 285 – A. Quintana (C) pinned Barnabe, 0:56.