Broomfield's Phil Downing ready to take place with state's greatest wrestlers

As he prepares on the side of the mat for an upcoming match, Broomfield's Phil Downing is the picture of intensity.

With Eminem blaring in his headphones, Downing bounces from foot to foot, running through all possible scenarios and situations the next 6 minutes of mat time might hold. His focus remains razor-sharp, drowning out the sights and sounds of the frantic gymnasium that surrounds him.

Downing has the opportunity this season to join one of the most elite clubs in Colorado high school sports by becoming only the 17th four-time wrestling state champion in state history, and he isn't about to let any distraction derail him from his goal.

"I push myself to work harder to make sure I secure that title," said Downing, who brought a 97-7 mark into his senior season. "I just hate losing. Even if I'm down, I try to stay in the match and come back and figure out a way to win."

First-year Eagles coach Pat DeCamillis knows how hard it can be to get that fourth title. DeCamillis was a three-time state champion at Arvada High School in 1988-90, and then helped countless wrestlers win titles as an assistant coach at both Pomona (Arvada) and Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village). He most recently spent nine years as the head coach at Pomona, leading the Panthers to a top-10 finish at state each year.

Despite that lofty resume', DeCamillis has never coached a four-time state champion. He was an assistant coach for Pomona in 2001 when the Panthers' Tom Clum attempted to become the first undefeated, four-time champion in state history. Clum, considered one of the greatest prep wrestlers the state has ever produced, had a 12-8 lead in the waning moments of the title match, only to see Wasson's Brett Roller hit a 5-point move in the final 10 seconds to pull off the upset.

So, DeCamillis understands anything can happen en route to a fourth title. But he's confident Downing has the makeup to handle everything that's put in front of him.

"I think the four-timers control the circumstances, control the moment better than anyone else," DeCamillis said. "The situation is not going to overwhelm him. Phil is a very intense young man, and, hopefully, we can get him to maintain his focus he's had for the last four years."

Downing, who is wrestling at 160 pounds to start the year after winning titles at 119, 138 and 145, is part of a talented Broomfield contingent that is attempting to repeat as Class 4A state champions, but has to overcome some obstacles along the way.

DeCamillis took over the program just three days before practice started after former Eagles coach Joe Pereira resigned in late October. The roster also took a hit when D.J. Zissimos was lost for the season after being injured in football.
But Broomfield also returns defending state champion Zach Stodden at 182, and has high hopes for wrestlers such as Jared Albo at 152 and Darek Huff at 126.

"I have teammates around me that push me and want to succeed," said Downing, who has committed to Notre Dame College in Ohio. "We have the same goal – to win the state title."

The Eagles are off to a good start, easily winning the team championship at last weekend's Mike Stanley Invitational at Fairview (Boulder). They will know a lot more after this weekend, when they travel to Ohio to take part in the highly touted Ironman Tournament at Walsh Jesuit (Cuyahoga Falls).

After proving himself against Colorado's best, Downing knows he can raise his profile nationally with a good showing at the Ironman.

"It puts me up higher on college's lists and it ranks me higher in the nation," said Downing, who went 2-2 at last year's Ironman before suffering a knee injury that kept him from placing.

"I think he's more than proven himself in Colorado, and I think he's proven himself on the national stage, as well," DeCamillis said. "I think this weekend will be a good test for Phil. It's a good gauge of where he's at."