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Leading up to the Colorado State Youth Wrestling Championships on Saturday and Sunday in Castle Rock, Bad Dogs youth wrestling coach Rodney Klimper said expectations for the team weren't too high.

He talked about team bonding, gaining experience and having fun.

The team accomplished those three goals - and more.

When the dust had settled on the two-day event, Klimper was pleasantly surprised by the team's outcome.

The Bad Dogs finished seventh out of the 169 teams that participated.

"We didn't go in there with the idea to win," Klimper said. "But, the kids did really well as a team. Each and every time they compete, they never cease to amaze me."

"The kids had a ball."

Of the 20 Bad Dogs that made the trip, six placed.

Four Bad Dogs made the trip last year, with two placing in the top six.

"It's definitely the best of the best in the state," Klimper said of the event. "Only the top echelon of each team makes it, where with us, any of our kids that wanted to go, could go. There wasn't any pressure on them."

And without the pressure, the team excelled.

"Basically, what this comes down to is it's a multi-league championship for the Front Range teams," Klimper said. "But, then you get those bad boys from the other side of the state that you could kind of tell they weren't happy to see.

"And they were even less happy to lose to us."

The bad boys from the other side of the state Klimper mentioned are the Bad Dogs.

Thomas Baker (5-2) and Mikey Bingham (3-2) finished fourth, earning the team seven points each.

Quincy Pfister (4-2), Deven Mosman (3-2) and Shandon Hadley (4-2) placed fifth, bringing home five team points apiece, while Colton Hall (2-3) earned three team points for finishing sixth.

"It feels good," Klimper said about the team's seventh-place finish. "Very rarely do we see kids from the Front Range. The only time is usually at nationals."

The finish was the best ever showing for the Bad Dogs at state, and Klimper said it enhances the already growing reputation the team has earned this year around the state.

"There are certain teams that you think about," he said. "You show up at a tournament and you see so and so from this team is in your bracket, and you're like 'Oh, great.' That's our team. These other teams are seeing the Bad Dogs and they know they're in for a fight."

But Klimper said there isn't a single Bad Dog who is scared of tough competition - on the local, state or national stage.

"They don't shy away from anybody,' he said. "Not once will we duck anybody. A lot of coaches will shift weights and do whatever they can to avoid kids. We don't. We look for those kids."

Despite the team's accomplishments, Klimper said much is to be learned from losing every now and then.

"We don't always win," he said. "Yes, they lose, but our kids lose with dignity. It might take five, 10 matches, but they'll come back and beat you.

"Win or lose, they just want to have fun with it. We win like we lose, and we lose like we win."

The Bad Dogs compete Friday and Saturday in the Lil Warrior Classic at Central High School in Grand Junction.

John Vandelinder can be reached at 875-1793 or jvandelinder@craigdailypress.com