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Strategy and adrenaline worked hand in hand to help Soroco's Joel Schlegal and Matt Iacovetto get off to impressive starts in the 2005 Colorado State Wrestling Championships.

Iacovetto pinned Antonito senior Ryan Trujillo in the third period, and Schlegal pinned Eads freshman Brandan Dunlap mid-way through the second with a half-Nelson.

Schlegal scored the first two points off a single-leg takedown and never trailed in his first match at 103 pounds.

"If you can go at the guy and get a takedown, that sets the tone for the match," Schlegal said. "Maybe he's not used to it, and you are already ahead."

He got a thumbs up from coach Doug Gates after his win.

Iacovetto got the first takedown of his match, but Trujillo evened the score early in the second when Iacovetto slipped on a move. Iacovetto escaped in the final 30 seconds to take a slim one-point lead into the final period.

But Iacovetto wasn't interested in sitting on the lead. Instead, he attacked for position and threw Trujillo on his back for the pin just 28 seconds into the third.

Iacovetto, who rarely shows emotion, gave a small fist pump after the win.

"I knew I needed to score," Iacovetto said. "Holding him down for the whole period would have been tough."

Iacovetto, who qualified for his third state tournament this season, did not win his opening-round match last year and has never advanced past the quarterfinals. Today, he will wrestle Merino sophomore Ross Brunkhardt in the quarterfinals. Schlegal, who showed control and confidence in his first state tournament match, will wrestle Lyons freshman Mikel Munro.

Iacovetto, Schlegal and Gates talked about the importance of winning the first match.

"You can still come back and place third, but it's a long, long way back," Gates said.

Soroco freshman Levi Gonzales will attempt to wrestle back as far as he can in today's consolations at 112 pounds. Gonzales, who drew Rocky Ford junior Matt Maestas in the first round, lost by fall in the first period. Maestas is one of the favorites to win a state title, and it showed.

Gonzales did an admirable job fighting from his back for most of the match, but Maestas used his experience to his advantage, staying one move ahead of Gonzales. Whenever Gonzales countered a Maestas move, the Rocky Ford wrestler was ready with his next one. Gonzales will wrestle South Park's Myles Downare in the first round consolations, which follow the morning's quarterfinals.

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 Iacovetto and Schlegal. Hayden is in 27th with four points courtesy of Randy Muhme's pin.

-- To reach Melinda Mawdsley call 871-4208 or e-mail mmawdsley@steamboatpilot.com