Charlie Griffiths knows the road ahead of him is tough.

But the state’s No. 3 ranked wrestler, at 130 pounds, isn’t shying away from a little competition.

Griffiths (44-5) announced his presence at the 4A high school state wrestling championships loud and clear Thursday night, earning a pin in his opening match on the Pepsi Center floor in Denver.

The Bulldogs sophomore took care of first-round opponent Joe Maestas (14-2), of Skyview High School, in three minutes, 42 seconds.

“I got him with the half (nelson), Griffiths said. The pin “will help me get some momentum for tomorrow. I’ve got to face a two-time state champion, so I’ll need it.”

Griffiths faces Dale Shull (38-3) – the state’s No. 2 ranked wrestler from Fort Lupton High School – when championship bracket action resumes at 1 p.m. today.

Moffat County’s three other wrestlers didn’t fare as well as their teammate.

Sophomore Cody Nelson (40-6) lost, 6-0, by decision to Alex Abreu (35-4), of Rock Canyon High School, in the 103-pound bracket’s third match.

Fellow MCHS sophomore Nathan Tomlin (30-6) let a 2-point lead slip in his 130-pound opening match against Cameron Herbert (30-10), of Longmont High School.

A bear hug takedown in the first period earned Tomlin a 2-0 lead, but Herbert answered in the second.

A reversal tied the match, and Hervert caught Tomlin in an arm bar, flipped him over and earned a pin in 4:57.

Bulldogs senior Jesse Breslin (39-9), ranked No. 8 in the state at 152-pounds, couldn’t get past state No. 4 Nate Lecher (36-3), of Fossil Ridge High School.

Breslin tied the match, 2-2, but was pinned at 3:36 of the second round.

Despite the losses, Nelson, Tomlin and Breslin haven’t been bounced from the double elimination event.

Each still can place as high as third by winning the remainder of their matches when the consolation rounds begin today.