TJ wrestlers bring home the league championship trophy once again.
The Spartans of Thomas Jefferson bring home their sixth consecutive league title. Photo courtesy Denver Public Schools.
On Saturday February 9, 2013, the TJ boys walked into JFK’s gym ready and prepared to bring home their sixth-time in a row league championship. Not wanting to come home disappointed, the boys worked hard to achieve this goal. Winning their sixth consecutive league title with nine champs was: Corey Hernandez, Elias Valenzuela, Zion Revira, Layth Dehyliah, Kenny Ojeda, Noel Estrada, Joe Johnson, Tyrell Holcomb and Martin Gonzales.
Coach Mike Laurita was not surprised winning this time around when his team beat their closest opponent Abraham Lincoln HIgh school by large margin of 40 points. “Everyone wrestled well at leauge. We were shorthanded but came through with a dominating victory,” he said.
Leading the Spartan wrestlers was Layth Dehyila, who – in his weight class of 126 lbs. – is the state’s fourth ranked wrestler. “It was a great to be able to keep the tradition going and win league. I know all the guys worked hard and, as a team, we pulled it together an brought home the win,” said Dehylia. When asked how he was able to make it as the state’s fourth ranked wrestler, he simply replied, “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.”
The Manager of Athletics for Denver Public Schools, Justin Saylor, said, “The Spartans of Thomas Jefferson were able to secure victories in six of the fourteen weight classes on Saturday en route to their sixth consecutive DPS League Wrestling Championship. Led by Layth Dieyleh, the state’s fourth ranked wrestler at 126 lbs, Thomas Jefferson was able to narrowly defeat the Lancers of Lincoln for the title.”
Now the team shifts its main focus to the regional tournament, where their biggest opponents will be Broomfield, who is 1st in 4A, and Pueblo Central who is 6th in 4A. Be sure to come an support your fellow Spartans on Friday, February 15 at 1:00 p.m. and Saturday, February 16 at 9:00 a.m. at Mullen High School.
Click here for a complete look at the tournament results.
