He hung the second-place medal in the wrestling room at John Mall High School and let the pain it represented provide fuel.
Jonathan Andreatta won a 2A state title as a freshman at 106 pounds. He added another one as a sophomore at 113 pounds. He returned to the title match at 120 pounds as a junior last year, eager to add to his championship count.
But wrestling guarantees nothing, and Andreatta found that out the hard way. A miscue in the third period against Centauri’s Quinton Montague cost him in a devastating 8-6 loss.
For as good as the first two titles had felt, the pain of losing was far more intense.
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So as he began his senior season, Andreatta allowed that second-place medal to serve as a reminder.
“I wasn’t going to let it happen again,” he said. “It drove me every single day. Whenever it got tough, I stared right at the medal and said, ‘Don’t quit or it will happen again.’ ”
It didn’t.
Andreatta authored a dominating performance to end his decorated career, pinning Burlington junior Cody Jacobsen with 15 seconds left in the second period of the 126-pound match to win his third title and finish his senior season 37-0.
Andreatta shot three fingers into the air after the pin, hugged his girlfriend as he left the mat and then sprinted into the bowels of the Pepsi Center, yelling with joy.
“He’s worked hard for us going back to pee-wees and our middle school program,” John Mall coach Josh Vialpando said. “We’ve watched him progress a lot throughout his career and throughout his life. I couldn’t be more proud of how he finished.”
Rocky Ford senior Jacob Rodriguez won his third state title by pinning John Mall freshman Chris McKenna late in the second round of the 106-pound championship, helping his school capture the team title over Meeker.
Peyton senior Britton Holmes won his second straight title with a 5-3 decision over Ignacio senior Ethan Appenzeller in the 145-pound match.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
At 132 pounds Pueblo County's Grant Willits works an escape from Mike McFadden of Cheyenne Mountain as he wins his 3rd state championship at Colorado high school state wrestling tournament at the Pepsi Center on Feb. 18, 2017 in Denver.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Isaiah DeLaCerda, Alamosa, celebrates his victory over opponent A.J. Serna, Grand Valley, to win the 3A 113lb championship match at the 2017 Colorado state high school wrestling championships at Pepsi Center on Feb. 18, 2017 in Denver.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Malik Heinselman, left, Castle View High School, wrestles Dawson Collins, Grand Junction for the 5A 106lb championship match at the 2017 Colorado state high school wrestling championships at the Pepsi Center on Feb. 18, 2017 in Denver.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Poudre's Jacob Greenwood fends off Coronado's KJ Kearns in their Class 5A 138-pound title match at the Colorado wrestling championships at the Pepsi Center on Feb. 18, 2017 in Denver.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Cohl Schultz, Ponderosa, left, and Max Gonzales, Cherokee Trail, battle during their 5A 220lb championship match at the 2017 Colorado state high school wrestling championships at the Pepsi Center on Feb. 18, 2017 in Denver.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Mike Duran lifts his son Jacob Duran, Ft. Lupton High School, in celebration after Jacob defeated Elijah DeLaCerda, Alamosa to win the 3A 106lb championship match at the 2017 Colorado state high school wrestling championships at the Pepsi Center on Feb. 18, 2017 in Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
Meeker 132 pound wrestler Garrett Frantz supporting his team at the Colorado high school state wrestling tournament at the Pepsi Center on Feb. 18, 2017 in Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
Lamar 195 pound wrestler Bart Gruenloe trading his cowboy boots for wrestling shoes at the Colorado high school state wrestling tournament at the Pepsi Center on Feb. 18, 2017 in Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
Meeker fans celebrate a win for their 106 pound wrestler Jacob Pelloni at the Pepsi Center on Feb. 18, 2017 in Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
Natasha Velasquez of Mancos cheering for her son Richard Martinez in his 120 pound match at Colorado high school state wrestling tournament at the Pepsi Center. on Feb. 18, 2017 in Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
Ashley Benem (center) cheering for Rocky Ford's 138 pound Carlos Romo's win at Colorado high school state wrestling tournament at the Pepsi Center on Feb. 18, 2017 in Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
After a battle on the floor 132 pound Thompson Vally wrestler Zach Kennison works to contain his emotions as he leaves the mat after a loss on the last day of the Colorado high school state wrestling tournament on Feb. 18, 2017 in Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
Meeker High School cheerleaders blowing away the competition at the Colorado high school state wrestling tournament at the Pepsi Center on Feb. 18, 2017 in Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
Meeker High School cheerleaders blowing away the competition at the Colorado high school state wrestling tournament at the Pepsi Center on Feb. 18, 2017 in Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
10 mats busy during the last day of the Colorado high school state wrestling tournament at the Pepsi Center on Feb. 18, 2017 in Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
Enriquez Romero of Rocky Ford, won by decision over Caleb Bradford of Meeker 5-0 at the Colorado high school state wrestling tournament at the Pepsi Center on Feb. 18, 2017 in Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
Greeley Central 170 pound wrestler Andrue Rojas and assistant coach Adam Alirez hug their teammate, 132 pounder Zeke Alirez after winning his third place match by fall at the Colorado high school state wrestling tournament at the Pepsi Center on Feb. 18, 2017 in Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
At 106 pounds in 2A, Rocky Ford's Jacob Rodriguez pins Chris McKenna of John Mall at the Colorado high school state wrestling tournament at the Pepsi Center on Feb. 18, 2017 in Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
4A wrestler Josh Nira of Greeley Central pressuring Pueblo County's Josiah Nava on his way to winning the title at the Colorado high school state wrestling tournament at the Pepsi Center on Feb. 18, 2017 in Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
Jonathan Andreatta from John Mall kept the pressure on Cody Jacobsen from Burlington before winning by fall for his third state title at the Colorado high school state wrestling tournament at the Pepsi Center on Feb. 18, 2017 in Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
Jonathan Andreatta from John Mall jumps into the arms of best friend Zane Barber after winning over Cody Jacobsen from Burlington by fall for his third state title at the Colorado high school state wrestling tournament at the Pepsi Center on Feb. 18, 2017 in Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
At 132 pounds Pueblo County's Grant Willits takes Mike McFadden of Cheyenne Mountain to the mat as he wins his third state championship at the Pepsi Center on Feb. 18, 2017 in Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
At 132 pounds Pueblo County's Grant Willits gives the three sign for his third state championship after winning against Mike McFadden of Cheyenne Mountain at the Pepsi Center on Feb. 18, 2017 in Denver.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Wrestlers line up for the National Anthem during the parade of champions for the 2017 Colorado state high school Wrestling championships at the Pepsi Center on Feb. 18, 2017 in Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
Pueblo County's Hunter Willits at 152 pounds wins his fourth state title over Longmont's Nathan Morris after his twin brother at 132 pounds Pueblo County's Grant Willits won his third on Feb. 18, 2017 in Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
Rick Willits is carried by his son Hunter Willits at 152 pounds after he wins his fourth state title at the Colorado high school state wrestling tournament at the Pepsi Center on Feb. 18, 2017 in Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
Three-time state title holder Grant Willits of Pueblo County hugs his twin brother Hunter Willits at 152 pounds after he wins his fourth title on Feb. 18, 2017 in Denver.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Jacob Duran, Ft. Lupton High School, left, upends opponent Elijah DeLaCerda, Alamosa during the 3A 106lb championship match at the Pepsi Center on Feb. 18, 2017 in Denver.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Cody Fatzinger, Arvada West, celebrates his victory over Job Greenwood, Poudre, to win the 5A 126lb championship match at the 2017 Colorado state high school wrestling championships at the Pepsi Center on Feb. 18, 2017 in Denver.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Oscar Lopez, Jefferson High School, celebrates with his coaches Oscar Fonseca, left, and James Vogel after defeating Evan Hoff of Grand Valley for the 3A 220lb championship at the Pepsi Center on Feb. 18, 2017 in Denver.
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Class 2A championship results
106 — Jacob Rodriguez, Sr., Rocky Ford (37-4) pin Chris McKenna, Fr., John Mall (14-10), 3:49.
113 — Dillon Jaramillo, So., Rocky Ford (27-4) dec. Sergio Campos, So., Hotchkiss (37-6), 3-2.
120 — Wesley Vanmatre, Fr., John Mall (12-1) dec. Brendyn Nordyke, So., Holly (30-3), 6-3.
126 — Jonathan Andreatta, Sr., John Mall (37-0) pin Cody Jacobsen, Jr., Burlington (37-4), 3:45.
132 — Cody Venem, Sr., Rocky Ford (34-2) dec. Marshal Ross, Sr., John Mall (24-8), 9-3.
138 — Sheridan Harvey, Sr., Meeker (33-3) dec. Sackett Chesnik, So., Paonia (38-9), 4-2.
145 — Britton Holmes, Sr., Peyton (41-2) dec. Ethan Appenzeller, Sr., Ignacio (38-5), 5-3.
152 — Hayden Harris, Sr., Norwood/Nucla (38-3) dec. Jace Logan, So., Soroco (44-2), dec. 4-3.
160 — Aidan Dabal, Jr., Norwood/Nucla (26-11) pin Wade Katzdorn, Sr., Hotchkiss (37-6), 3:09.
170 — Trenton Armintrout, Sr., Norwood/Nucla (37-6) dec. Casey Turner, Sr., Meeker (17-4), 1-0.
182 — Keegan Bean, Jr., Lyons (36-2) dec. Chase Rule, Sr., Meeker (28-7), 7-5.
195 — Jason Murphy, Sr., John Mall (29-2) dec. Christian Carson, Sr., Hayden (33-7), 3-2.
220 — Kaleb Gaede, Jr., Limon (37-0) pin Ethan Barnes, Sr., Norwood/Nucla (37-3), 5:59.
Hwt. — Trevor Smith, Sr., Paonia (36-3) dec. Tyler Ilgen, Sr., Meeker (29-10), 4-3, tiebreaker.
Team scores
Rocky Ford 188.5, Meeker 160, John Mall 134, Norwood/Nucla 106, Paonia 95, Hotchkiss 92, 7. Sedgwick County-Fleming 61, Cedaredge 58, Peyton 53, Highland 52