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There the Hayden wrestling contingent sat Thursday, waiting as each weight class went by. Finally, at 5:15 p.m., nearly two hours after arriving at the Pepsi Center, it was time for the Tigers to wrestle.

Senior Randy Muhme said he enjoyed lounging in section 120 and backed it up with a quick win against Brian Goble at 275 pounds, pinning the Akron junior in 1 minute, 1 second in the first round of the 2005 Colorado State Wrestling Championships.

"That's not what I thought would happen," Muhme said. "I was on defense, and I waited for him to make a mistake."

That's what previous trips to the state tournament will get you -- the experience to know that the difference between winning and losing often comes down to who makes the fewest mistakes.

It was a lesson sophomore Robert Culver picked up in his first-round match at 215 pounds against Swink sophomore Chris Reynolds. Culver was aggressive but lost by major decision, 14-2. He spent more than a minute on his back, fighting off everything Reynolds had.

Culver picked up a takedown early in the third period but couldn't get Reynolds on his back, which would have been the only way for the Hayden sophomore to win. It was Culver's first match at state in his first year of varsity wrestling.

Hayden coach Ty Zabel said Culver would respond today.

"He spent six minutes on the mat in his first state match," Zabel said. "I'm not worried about Robert. He'll be fine."

Muhme will wrestle Rocky Ford senior Luis Bailon at 10 a.m. in today's quarterfinals. Culver will wrestle Mountain Valley freshman James Fawcett, who had just 12 matches this year before qualifying for state, in the first round of consolations as soon as the quarterfinals conclude.

"Last year, I came down and lost my first match," Muhme said. "This year, I won, so we'll see how things go."

After one day of competition, Meeker is leading the Class 2A team race with 29 points. Wray is second with 28.5, and Paonia is third with 25 points. Soroco is in 17th, thanks to eight points from Matt Iacovetto and Joel Schlegal. Hayden is in 27th with four points courtesy of Muhme's pin.