Athletics have always been a big part of Joey Airola’s life as he lived outside of Jamestown and attended school in Nederland. At the age of four, he began racing motorcycles. By the age of seven, he had won two Rocky Mountain Motocross Association 50cc titles. In the sixth grade, in what would become his passion, Airola’s attention turned toward wrestling. With his mother Margie and Todd Oliver as coaches, he participated in a six-week youth program held in Gilpin County each year through the eighth grade. From there, he would become the highly accomplished wrestler that he is today.

Since the 2A Nederland Panthers didn’t have a wrestling program, Airola competed as a member of the 5A Boulder Panthers beginning his freshman year. The mascot’s name may have stayed the same, but the level of competition at Boulder was much greater than it would have been if Nederland had fielded a team. He would be up against the best wrestlers and wrestling programs in Colorado.

With his parents Jim and Margie’s support, driving him back and forth to Boulder six days a week during wrestling season and various club matches throughout the state, Airola achieved success from the start as only a freshman. As a freshman he amassed a 37-5 record and won second place at the CHSAA Wrestling Championships in the 106 lb. weight class. Moving up to 113 lbs. as a sophomore proved only slightly more challenging for him. Through hard work and determination, he took fifth place that year in State while amassing a record of 24-5.

More success would follow. In a coronavirus affected junior year, Boulder High School and Fairview High School combined their squads to form one team. By then at the weight he would remain the rest of his high school career, at 132 lbs. he placed near the top again in the State Championships with a fourth place finish. His record was 26-10.

After compiling an impressive 33-1 record this season, Airola entered the Championships, February 17, at Ball Arena as the number one seed in the 132 lb. weight class. Cole Wrona of Chaparral ran into a buzzsaw against Airola going down 14-1 before being pinned at 1:41 of the first period. Jaden McGowan of Rock Canyon didn’t fare much better in the next match losing a lopsided decision by a score of 10-1. It was during that match that Airola sprained his medial collateral ligament, but decided to continue on despite the injury.

There were merely three seconds remaining in the semi-final match versus Emilio Trujillo-Deen from Monarch. Ariola had beaten Trujillo- Deen earlier this year. With Airola ahead 4-3, his opponent was awarded a debatable point by the referee on an escape to tie the score after three periods. In a hard-fought upset, Airola would fall by a final tally of 6-4 in the one-minute overtime period.

Forfeiting the rest of his matches due to the injury, he is expected to make a full recovery. Disappointed by the result, Airola has nothing to hang his head about, being awarded sixth place in Colorado 5A wrestling, capping an outstanding high school career.

Will LeBoeuf, Airola’s coach for all four years at Boulder High noted that, “Joey showed up with a positive attitude. His leadership and work ethic motivated and improved those around him. He was a once-in-a lifetime athlete who has been my great honor and privilege to coach.”

Airola recently received an athletic scholarship to wrestle for the University of Nebraska Kearney this coming fall. In the meantime, his plans include competing in the USA Folkstyle Nationals through the Bear Cave Wrestling Club, Greeley, Colorado, April 1, and the Junior World Team Nationals in Fargo, North Dakota, in July.