The history of the Arrupe Jesuit wrestling program is intertwined with his family, so it's no wonder the Generals' Vicente Gallegos takes his time on the mat personally.

His father, Clyde, is the team's head coach, starting the program six seasons ago. Vicente's brother, Lance, was a two-time state champion before graduating in 2007.

A cousin, Richard Apadoca, was a runner-up in 2007 as well.

And now Gallegos has an opportunity to add to that legacy. A 125-pound junior, Gallegos advanced to title round for the second time, beating C.J. Brophy of Yuma 16-6 in a Class 3A semifinal match Friday night at the Pepsi Center.

"It's really important to keep the tradition going," said Gallegos, who improved to 31-3. "My dad's been there since it started, so it's big."

This is Gallegos' second trip to the finals, having advanced to the 119-pound championship as a freshman. He was pinned in the second period by Cody Cole of Brush that time, so Gallegos is eager for another shot.

"I can't wait," said Gallegos, who finished third last season.

In the finals, Gallegos will face Platte Valley junior Clay Flot, an upset winner against Nick Adams of Discovery Canyon in the other semifinal.

Adams, a sophomore who was attempting to win a second-

consecutive championship, had a 4-2 lead heading into the third period. Flot elected to start that period in the neutral position and used a great throw to put Adams on his back.

"I don't think there's too many people better than me on my feet, not to brag or anything," said Flot, who scored the pin at the 5 minute, 3 second mark.

"I definitely would say it's my best (throw). It's my most important one, for sure."

Flot said he hasn't allowed himself the luxury to think how he would celebrate if he were to win the title.

"It would definitely be a dream come true," Flot said. "I'll probably be jumping if I win."

Matt Addington of Florence will attempt to win a second championship and complete his second undefeated season in a row after scoring a 19-2 technical fall against Adam Heredia of Monte Vista in a 152-pound semifinal. Addington, who won at 140 last year, showed no ill-

effects in dispatching Heredia after surviving a brutal quarterfinal with Grand Valley's Tyler Miles.

Miles, who won the 152-pound 2A crown in 2008, had a lead on Addington in the third period, only to see the Huskies junior score the final five points of the match to pull out a 9-4 victory.

Moments after the match, Addington walked into the adjoining corridor, found a comfortable spot on the concrete floor and collapsed, needing more than five minutes to catch his breath.

Addington, who has gone 81-0 during the past two seasons, will face Iver Sandoval of Centauri in the finals.

Sandoval, who edged Aaron Velasquez of Bayfield 4-3 in the semifinals, is one of four Centauri wrestlers to reach the finals, helping the Falcons take a commanding lead in the team race.

Cahlen Keys (130), Phillip Sheridan (140) and heavyweight Vincent Chacon also reached the championship round for Centauri.

Keys and Sheridan are in the championship match for the second straight year and both are looking for their first title. Keys will face Grand Valley's James Drinkhouse, who upset defending champion Jake Eitzen of Estes Park in the quarterfinals before pinning Darrian Adame of Lamar in the semifinals.

Yuma's Zach Diaz will be going after his second title after pinning J.C. Jimenez of Olathe in 5:38 of a 160-pound semifinal. Diaz will face Joe DuCharme of Pagosa Springs, who edged Elliot Copeland of Bennett 12-7 in a battle of unbeaten wrestlers.

DuCharme improved to 31-0, while Copeland lost for the first time in 32 matches.

Class 3A championship pairings

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103 pounds:

Corbin Bennetts, Buena Vista, So. (39-4) vs. A.J. Salazar, Lake County, Fr. (38-5).

*

112:

Kurtis Romero, La Junta, So. (27-6) vs. Zach Shank, Olathe, Fr. (33-7).

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119:

Josh Jaime, Lamar, Jr. (30-0) vs. Kenny Porter, Bennett, Sr. (38-2).

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125:

Clay Flot, Platte Valley, Jr. (35-8) vs. Vicente Gallegos, Arrupe Jesuit, Jr. (31-3).

*

130:

James Drinkhouse, Grand Valley, Jr. (33-6) vs. Cahlen Keys, Centauri, Jr. (46-1).

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135:

Nate Halpin, Florence, Sr. (42-6) vs. Adam Garcia, Monte Vista, Sr. (37-5).

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140:

Phillip Sheridan, Centauri, Sr. (47-1) vs. Jared Tonder, Grand Valley, Jr. (39-6).

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145:

Ryan Gallegos, Grand Valley, Jr. (34-6) vs. Cole Kembel, Brush, Sr. (46-6).

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152:

Matt Addington, Florence, Jr. (47-0) vs. Iver Sandoval, Centauri, So. (38-9).

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160:

Zac Diaz, Yuma, Sr. (42-2) vs. Joe DuCharme, Pagosa Springs, Sr. (31-0).

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171:

Mike Smith, Pagosa Springs, Sr. (36-1) vs. Aaron Heredia, Monte Vista, Sr. (32-9).

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189:

Bryce Kammerzell, Eaton, Jr. (27-2) vs. Daniel Rubalcaba, Brush, Sr. (43-5).

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215:

Michael Beard, Hotchkiss, Jr. (30-4) vs. Jacob Hunter, Brush, Sr. (23-7).

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285:

Vincent Chacon, Centauri, Jr. (41-3) vs. Joe Joyner, Grand Valley, Sr. (30-10).

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