There’s no way to tell what the next three years will hold for Olathe’s Zach Shank, but at least an opportunity exists.

And that’s good enough for Shank,

Just a freshman, Shank picked up the Class 3A 112-pound state championship Saturday, edging Kurtis Romero of La Junta 3-2 in front of 17,803 fans at the Pepsi Center.

And, as is the case anytime a freshman wins a title, speculation immediately began as to whether or not Shank can join the most exclusive group the sport has to offer -- that of four-time state champion.

“It’s the best feeling in the world to win state as a freshman,” said Shank, who improved to 34-7. “It’s going to make it tougher next year, but I’ll just work harder. It feels like I’ll have a target on my back, but it’s going to be fun.”

Shank built a 3-0 lead through the first two periods, then had to survive a frantic comeback attempt by Romero, who finished as a runner-up for the second consecutive season. The La Junta junior scored an escape early in the third, then came close to getting a tying takedown several times in the final minute, including one right at the buzzer.

“He tried to throw me, but he just wasn’t tight enough and I rolled out,” Shank said.

Centauri wrapped up its first team championship, as the Falcons ran away from second-place Olathe 153.5 to 120. Centauri also crowned three individual champions along the way, with Cahlen Keys winning at 130 pounds, Phillip Sheridan grabbing the 140-pound title and Vincent Chacon capping the night by winning the heavyweight title.

Sheridan survived a scare in his match with Jared Tonder of Grand Valley, building a 16-10 lead after two periods, only to have Tonder score six third-period points.

Sheridan, who was a runner-up last season, needed a third-period takedown to score an 18-16 victory.

It was also a night of firsts for Corbin Bennetts and the Buena Vista wrestling program. Bennetts, a sophomore, edged A.J. Salazar of Lake County 4-3 to win the 103-pound title. It was not only Bennetts’ first championship, but the Demons first in the sport as well.

“Ever since last year when I came up short and took fourth, I’ve been aiming for this,” said Bennetts, who improved to 40-4. “I changed my text message signature to Bvsfirst (Buena Vista’s first).”

Arrupe Jesuit junior Vicente Gallegos wasted little time in picking up his first title, pinning Clay Flot of Platte Valley 48 seconds into their 125-pound championship match.

Gallegos picked up the third title in the program’s short six-year history. Gallegos’ older brother, Lance, won back-to-back championships before graduating in 2007.

With one year left in his career, Vicente Gallegos’ goal is to match his older brother title for title.

“I’m going to try to get a second one next year,” said Gallegos, who finished with a 32-3 record. “I’m going to work hard.”

Bennett’s Kenny Porter scored something of an upset in winning the 119-pound championship. Lamar’s Josh Jaime was a returning state champion and had won his first 30 matches this season. But Porter controlled the match from the opening whistle and walked away with a 20-12 victory and a state championship.

Jaime wasn’t the only returning state champion to go down. Yuma’s Zach Diaz made it back to the 160-pound title match but was upended by Joe DuCharme of Pagosa Springs.

DuCharme, who capped a perfect 32-0 season with the win in the title match, lost to Diaz in last year’s quarterfinals but came back to score an 11-6 decision in their return match.

“He beat me last year, so this is some sweet revenge,” said DuCharme, who finished third last season. “All the hard work you put into it paying off like that – it’s magical.”

A couple other returning champions were more fortunate and came away with a second title. Nate Halpin of Florence won his second championship at 135 pounds, while teammate Matt Addington repeated as champion, winning the 152-pound title and finishing the season a perfect 48-0.

Addington, a junior, is 82-0 over the past two seasons.

Eaton’s Bryce Kammerzell put in extra time to win his first championship, scoring a 7-5 decision over Daniel Rubalcaba of Brush in overtime.

Kammerzell, who lost in the state finals last season, admitted he was feeling the pressure when he stepped into the circle.

“I beat (Rubalcaba) by 15 points before, so I didn’t expect it to be this close,” Kammerzell said. “I thought I was going to make the same mistake as last year and let the crowd and all the pressure get to me. I almost let it happen, and I still don’t know how I did it.”

Mike Smith also picked up a championship a season after finishing second, edging Aaron Heredia of Monte Vista for the 171-pound title.

Brush won a pair of titles, with Cole Kembel picking up the 145-pound championship and Jacob Hunter taking home the 215-pound crown.

CLASS 3A CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES

103 pounds: Corbin Bennetts, Buena Vista, So. (40-4), dec. A.J. Salazar, Lake County, Fr. (38-6), 4-3. 112: Zach Shank, Olathe, Fr. (34-7), dec. Kurtis Romero, La Junta, So. (27-7), 3-2. 119: Kenny Porter, Bennett, Sr. (39-2), maj. dec. Josh Haime, Lamar, Jr. (30-1), 20-12. 125: Vicente Gallegos, Arrupe Jesuit, Jr. (32-3), pinned Clay Flot, Platte Valley, Jr. (35-9), 0:48. 130: Cahlen Keys, Centauri, Jr. (47-1), maj. dec. James Drinkhouse, Grand Valley, Jr. (33-7), 14-2. 135: Nate Halpin, Florence, Sr. (43-6), dec. Adam Garcia, Monte Vi sta, Sr. (37-6), 6-2. 140: Phillip Sheridan, Centauri, Sr. (48-1), dec. Jared Tonder, Grand Valley, Jr. (39-7), 18-16. 145: Cole Kembel, Brush, Sr. (47-6), dec. Ryan Gallegos, Grand Valley, Jr. (34-8), 8-2. 152: Matt Addington, Florence, Jr. (48-0), maj. dec. Iver Sandoval, Centauri, So. (38-10), 17-6. 160: Joe DuCharme, Pagosa Springs, Sr. (32-0), dec. Zac Diaz, Yuma, Sr. (42-3), 11-6. 171: Mike Smith, Pagosa Springs, Sr. (37-1), dec. Aaron Heredia, Monte Vista, Sr. (32-10), 10-6. 189: Bryce Kammerzell, Eaton, Jr. (28-2), dec. Daniel Rubalcaba, Brush, Sr. (43-6), 7-5 OT. 215: Jacob Hunter, Brush, Sr. (24-7), dec. Micahel Beard, Hotchkiss, Jr. (30-5), 5-2. 285: Vincent Chacon, Centauri, Jr. (42-3) maj. dec. Joe Joyner, Grand Valley, Sr. (30-11), 12-4.

TEAM SCORES

1. Centauri, 153.5 2. Olathe, 120 3. Grand Valley, 100 4. Brush, 92.5 5. La Junta, 79 6. Pagosa Springs, 76.5 7. Florence, 74.5 8. Lamar, 73 9. Monte Vista, 71 10. Yuma, 66 11. Strasburg, 58 12. Hotchkiss, 51.5 13. Bennett, 48 14. Buena Vista, 45.5 15. Bayfield, 45 16. Erie, 36 17. Holy Family, 35.5 18. Valley, 35 19. Estes Park, 33 20. Middle Park, 30.5 21. Platte Valley, 30.5 22. Eaton, 30 23. Dolores Huerta, 29 24. Rye, 28 25. Arrupe Jesuit, 26.5 26. Discovery Canyon, 24 27. Salida, 23 28. Gunnison, 22.5 29. Lake County, 22 30. University, 22 31. Classical Academy, 19 32. Manitou Springs, 15 33. Trinidad, 14.5 34. Coal Ridge, 13 35. Lutheran, 12 36. Ellicott, 11 37. Platte Canyon, 11 38. The Academy, 7 39. Cedaredge, 3 40. Highlands, 3 41. Lyons, 3 42. Weld Central, 3 43. Clear Creek, 3 44. Peyton, 1 45. Colorado Springs Christian, 1

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