Barbara Lawlor, Gilpin County.   Gilpin County Youth Wrestling coach Pete Morgan says that one could hear coaches and parents from all over Colorado commenting on the toughness of the GCYW athletes that were participating in the Brush High School tournament on Saturday.

The stats will agree.

Cooley Murdoch, in the under six age group, 37 pounds, Joey Airola, under 12, 80 pounds, Kaleb Oliver, under 12, 95 pounds, Michael Wenholz, under 14, 100 pounds and Mateo Maldonado, under 14, l50 pounds, were all undefeated and won gold against the older, larger 5A competition.

Cooley, the youngest winner, already a veteran on the mats, had six pins in one day. It was a rare feat.

Brush had some larger brackets and gave the Gilpin wrestlers more matches than was unexpected, says coach Morgan.

Even the beginners, the kids just starting out, held their own and won some matches against the big schools experienced wrestlers.

“We are putting ourselves on the map and the progress is amazing to witness,” says coach Morgan.

The GCYW athletes will compete on Sunday at Broomfield High School, and coaches Todd Oliver and Nick Weichels will lead the kids at the Annual Hall of Fame Tournament, which will feature top wrestlers of Colorado.

Since its inception, GCYW has continued to grow and put Gilpin County on the competitive wrestling list.