The Gilpin County High School wrestling team came back this season! Though the first season back in action was a little rough from injury and illness, overall it was great to have the sport back. At the season start there were nine wrestlers. At the end of the season three went to regionals.

Kaden Lafone, a senior and first year wrestler weighing 150 lbs, finished the season with a record of 3-26. Lafone put all of the hard work in and did a great job. Ryan Hanssen, a sophomore, wrestled at 138 and finished his season at 3-9. Unfortunately, Hanssen had a knee injury and was not able to complete the full season. Justin Johnson, one of two freshmen to join wrestling, weighed in at 157 lbs and completed the full season at 4-16. Johnson showed amazing growth as the season passed and surely has a bright future as a wrestler. Mason Sechler, 215 lbs freshman, went 9-7 his first high school season, and 2-2 at regionals which put him in 7th place. Sechler not only performed this year but showed growth and potential to make it all the way to state next year if he keeps his hard work up.

The program in coming years has a great light of optimism around it. The middle school wrestling team has 16 athletes which should really help fuel the varsity program. The coaches were also vital to the program this year, Coach John Chamberlain, Coach Doug Ball, and Coach David Sechler helped the athletes improve by bringing a wealth of wrestling knowledge to the mat every practice. Coach Chamberlain is currently coaching the middle school program as well.

It is exciting to think how the program will grow with the help of these coaches. The coaches have discussed starting some off-season camps as well as a peewee program. All of this is just more reason to be excited as to what next year’s season will bring.