Berthoud wrestlers finish strong at state tournament

Julia Schnell takes third, Jaxon Ficarra fourth in their respective weight classes

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Berthoud High School wrestlers Julia Schnell and Jaxon Ficarra both had strong showings at the state wrestling tournament, with Schnell finishing third in the 4A 120-pound division and Ficarra taking fourth in the 3A 175-pound class. Several other local wrestlers also won their fifth-place matches.

Why it matters

The state wrestling tournament is one of the biggest high school sporting events in Colorado, and these results showcase the talent and hard work of local wrestlers. Schnell and Ficarra's performances demonstrate their growth and potential, while the other fifth-place finishers highlight the depth of wrestling programs in the region.

The details

Schnell, the No. 2 seed at 120 pounds in Class 4A, won her opening match by fall before being upset in the quarterfinals. She battled back through the consolation bracket, winning multiple matches by fall and decision to reach the third-place match, where she defeated Liberty's Sky Richards 6-2. Ficarra, a junior at Berthoud, lost in the quarterfinals at 175 pounds in 3A but then earned major decision victories in the consolation bracket to make it to the third-place match, where he fell 5-2 to Jackson Shipfer of The Classical Academy.

  • Schnell won her opening match on Thursday with a fall in 55 seconds.
  • Schnell lost her quarterfinal match on Thursday with 14 seconds remaining.
  • Schnell won twice on Friday, both by fall.
  • Schnell won her consolation semifinal on Saturday morning in 1 minute, 35 seconds.
  • Schnell defeated Richards in the third-place match on Saturday.

The players

Julia Schnell

A sophomore wrestler at Berthoud High School who finished third in the 4A 120-pound division at the state tournament.

Jaxon Ficarra

A junior wrestler at Berthoud High School who finished fourth in the 3A 175-pound division at the state tournament.

Alex Traenkle

A wrestler from Manitou Springs who defeated Schnell in the quarterfinals.

Sky Richards

A wrestler from Liberty High School who Schnell defeated 6-2 in the third-place match.

Jackson Shipfer

A wrestler from The Classical Academy who defeated Ficarra 5-2 in the third-place match.

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What they’re saying

“It feels good to end with a win, but it's definitely hard to expect to go to the finals and then losing in the quarters. But it's definitely a good challenge and I think it's something that I can definitely improve off of. It gives me ammo for next year and offseason to get better.”

— Julia Schnell (reporterherald.com)

“He's a good guy. He's got good defense. Very fast for a 175er. But I still had fun. Still great competition. I'm still proud of myself.”

— Jaxon Ficarra (reporterherald.com)

“Unbelievable confidence. Knowing that the guy that just beat me is a senior and the other guy I lost to was a senior, if next year goes exactly how this year went, then I will probably be in the finals or get third, and I'm super excited for it.”

— Jaxon Ficarra (reporterherald.com)

What’s next

With another year of wrestling left, Ficarra is already looking forward to next season and believes he has a strong chance of reaching the finals or placing third.

The takeaway

The performances of Schnell and Ficarra, as well as the other local wrestlers who won fifth-place matches, showcase the strength and depth of wrestling programs in the region. These results demonstrate the hard work and dedication of these student-athletes, and provide a glimpse of the promising futures ahead for Berthoud and other local wrestling teams.