Final matches tripped up an otherwise strong performance by the Durango High School wrestling team at the Rocky Mountain Invitational on Saturday in Pagosa Springs.

Five Demons found their way to the podium led by Hunter Hall and Matthew Lavengood in second.

“We did well today,” DHS head coach John Gurule said. “I would have liked to have finished a little better. We’ll go back into the practice room and tweak some things.”

Hall was pinned at 126 pounds by a wrestler from Silver City, New Mexico.

“He came out, got caught and ended up getting pinned,” Gurule said. “He beat a returning state placer from Centauri in the quarterfinals and won 1-0 in the semifinals. He had a great day.”

Lavengood lost to a defending state champion from Monte Vista at 120 pounds.

“It was a real good battle,” Gurule said. “Matthew just came up on the losing end.”

Cameron Jacobs took fourth at 106 pounds for the Demons and Diego Martinez finished sixth at 138.

“He’s starting to focus his intensity, and he’s really starting to wrestle well for us,” Gurule said. “We’re exited for the rest of the season with Diego.”

Cole Gustavson wrapped up the Demons’ placers in sixth place at 145 pounds.

“Every single match he’s wrestled, he’s in,” Gurule said.

The Demons’ road doesn’t get any easier. They’re headed to the Arvada West Invitational tournament next weekend on the Front Range. Arvada West currently is ranked No. 1 in Class 5A in On The Mat’s team rankings.

“It’ll be a great challenge for us,” Gurule said. “I’m looking forward to testing our skill set against Colorado’s best wrestlers.”

heraldsports@durangoherald.com