Pomona Wrestling Dynasty Wins 11th Straight League Title

The Pomona Panthers wrestling team knows exactly what excellence looks like, and they proved it again Friday night by dominating their home mat to claim an 11th straight Class 5A Jeffco League title.

The numbers tell a remarkable story. Pomona has won 20 league championships in just 22 seasons, with only a two-year break in 2014 and 2015 interrupting what could have been an unbroken streak of dominance.

Friday's performance showcased why this program remains untouchable. The Panthers swept 13 of 14 individual weight class titles at their home gym in Arvada, Colorado, with only Chatfield's Luke Gomez preventing a complete sweep at 126 pounds.

Senior Maddux Najera wrestled four matches in one night, including a victory over a top-ranked opponent in the 215-pound final. He made it look routine despite recovering from an appendectomy just weeks ago. "That's the expectation," Najera said about adding another league banner. "When it doesn't get done, it's a problem."

Senior Derek Barrows, who has signed to wrestle at the University of Wyoming, pinned his opponent in the first period at 150 pounds. The two-time state champion believes this year's team could break Pomona's own record of 278.5 points at the state tournament.

Coach Sam Federico treats these league victories as stepping stones. His team has won seven consecutive state championships and will attempt to match Ponderosa's record of eight straight state titles when they compete at Ball Arena on February 21.

The Ripple Effect

This isn't just about trophies collecting dust in a display case. Five seniors wrestled their final home matches Friday night, part of a program that has sent countless athletes to compete at the college level. The younger wrestlers watch, learn, and carry forward a culture of excellence that spans more than two decades.

The Panthers went 5-for-5 in individual state championship matches last year. They return four defending state champions this season, blending experienced seniors with talented freshmen who are already contributing to varsity victories.

Now comes the real test. Pomona enters the postseason with history in their sights, a healthy roster, and the confidence of a program that has turned winning into tradition.