Barbara Lawlor, Gilpin County.  Last weekend, both Gilpin High School gyms were filled with young Metro League wrestlers. By the end of Saturday, over 560 matches were held on eight surfaces, making the event one of the largest ever held at the school.

Wrestling club organizer and coach, Pete Morgan, says that the Gilpin High School Booster Club made over $2,000 and the wrestling club made over $1,000 to continue their support of Gilpin County athletes.

It was the kickoff meet for the Metro League wrestlers and 20 teams were invited to attend, with beginner/novice divisions for first and second year wrestlers squaring off in the morning and experienced, competitive athletes beginning in the afternoon.

Coach Morgan was proud that Gilpin was chosen to be the host for the first meet. He is also proud that several of the young wrestlers entering sixth grade will be representing their school at the Boulder Valley School District inter-district middle school season, Jan. 9- Feb. 16.

After hosting a general meeting last spring using Kaleb Oliver and Joey Airola to give a wrestling demonstration, coach Morgan says he collected signatures for Nederland Middle Senior High School Athletic Director Emmy Murphy to present to the BVSD athletics committee.

“I believe that it is reasonable and attainable to have wrestling return to Nederland Middle School this season,” he says.

Those attending the matches last Saturday experienced what a league event feels like, and learned what to expect in upcoming competitions. It was the first time out for many of the wrestlers and they now know that it takes time, experience and hard work to win, says the coach.

On Sunday, six of the GCYW went to the Big Horn Nationals at the Budweiser Event Center in Fort Collins. There were wrestlers from almost 50 states. All six of the Gilpin County athletes placed in their matches, showing that the young local wrestlers can compete well against the nation’s best.

Next Saturday, the Gilpin kids will travel to Century Middle School in Thornton for a Metro League event.

Gilpin County will host two more home tournaments for the Metro Junior Wrestling league later this season. The future dates will be on Saturday, December 5th and January 9th. We’d love to see you there!

It was quite the eventful weekend for the teams as Sunday as well as several experienced wrestlers had an opportunity to compete and participate in the Big Horn Nationals tournament held at the Budweiser Event Center in Loveland. The kids did an amazing job and all of the experienced wrestlers that attended the tournament placed amongst some of the national’s top talent. Not bad for our little community!

1st Place: Brennin Oliver (U8 54-58 Rookie)

2nd Place: Mateo Maldonado (U14 145-147 Experienced)

4th Place: Cooley Murdock (U6 36-40 Experienced)

4th Place: Kaleb Oliver (U12 86-96 Experienced)

5th Place: Michael Wenholz (U14 90-99 Experienced)

6th Place: Joey Airola (U12 80-84 Experienced)