BY JIM THOMAS

Like father, like son.

In 1968, junior Mike Allison of Fountain won his first of eventually two state individual titles at 160 pounds. Today he is head wrestling coach at Montezuma-Cortez High School.

Saturday night, Feb. 19, junior Cole Allison of Montezuma-Cortez breezed through his 160-pound weight bracket to capture an individual state title. Today, the young man can lay claim to undefeated (41-0 on season) State Champion.

He vanquished all his opponents quite easily en route to the title. Allison major decisioned Brad Dayhuff of Niwot 12-0 in the finals.

The score was tied 0-0 with 1:36 to go in the first period and that’s the way the score would remain at the end. But Allison tossed Dayhuff to the mat for a takedown early in the second period. He went up 4-0 with a nearfall with 1:28 to go. Allison, who is a master at working his legs, went instead to a cross body. He got Dayhuff in a cross-face cradle and he was up 4-0 with 41 seconds remaining. He nearly pinned Dayhuff and was up 6-0 at the end of the second. In the final period, Allison totally dominated Dayhuff and almost pinned him to go ahead 9-0 with 38 seconds left. He got Dayhuff in a headlock and nearly pinned him with 16 seconds left.

After the match he immediately went over and hugged his father and then ran over to hug his mother, Carolyn.

"My first goal was to get the first takedown and stay solid," he said after the match. "I basically wanted to win the match on my feet. I also wanted to stay on top. I scared myself one time when I rolled over too far and he almost stuck me. But I felt good about the match. I didn’t use my legs much but more hip to hip and power wrestling."

How does he look back on his perfect season?

"It was a long, hard year but fun. The more fun you had the better you wrestle and I had fun. I knew I had the skills to be good. I learned a lot this summer and after winning at Nationals (in freestyle) it did wonders for my head," he added.

His goal as a senior?

"I want to match him and win another title. I can’t let him be one up on me," he laughed.

Allison had a major decision to start (15-1 over Chris Ruiz of Florence), and two falls (Dominic Wilson of Dakota Ridge in 2:42 in the quarterfinals and Adam Renehan of Mullen 1:34 in the semifinals) and the easy win in the finals.

"He had two falls and two major decisions and had only one point scored on him. I think a tournament loke this is really something," Coach Allison remarked after the match. "I think he showed himself that he’s in control. If he does that and if he’s aggressive, he can win another.

"As a father, it is every coach’s dream to walk out with their son in the Parade of Champions (ceremony starting the championship round in which wrestlers walk out with their coach and are recognized). My dream was not realized and then a he won. I’m proud of him and the others we brought up here," he added.

Montezuma-Cortez sent six wrestlers to compete in the Class 4A bracket. Besides Cole Allison, 160, taking first (see page one story) only Joey Wynes, 152, brought home a medal (fifth). Lyle Benally, 112; Tyler Gray, 119; Jared Carver, 130; and Shawn Randolph, 189, all did not place.