Wrestling reversal scores points with Cougars

It turns out there will be a high school wrestling season in Boulder County after all. In a letter to wrestlers and their families dated Jan. 12, St. Vrain Valley Schools' Arts, Athletics, and Activities Director Chase McBride announced that wrestling has been approved by Boulder County Public Health, reversing a Jan. 5 decision that disallowed the sport due to COVID-19 concerns.

"After careful consideration and continued discussion with Boulder County Public Health, they have approved wrestling to move forward in Season B, as long as we implement stringent safety protocols,"

McBride's message reads. "Our top priority will always remain the safety of our students and school communities, and it is essential that we adhere to these requirements for all students who plan to participate in wrestling."

The additional safety measures, which apply only in Boulder County, include masking at all times by athletes and coaches, as well routine COVID-19 testing for athletes and coaches on a rotating bi-weekly basis. School must also require wrestlers to attend school through the district's online synchronous learning model until two weeks after the end of the season to avoid possible spread of the coronavirus to the larger school community by a wrestler.

Needless to say, BCPH's announcement was welcome news to Niwot Cougar head wrestling coach Bobby Matthews, the new restrictions notwithstanding. He admitted to being in a "pretty low spot" after last week's decision to halt the season, and is grateful to district officials for listening to their concerns and revising their outlook.

"We just get to wrestle," Matthews said. "I'm so happy for these kids and happy that they will get the opportunity to wrestle. The mental health of that is so important and I'm excited for the kids.... Maybe [county officials] have learned some more about wrestlers and how we clean mats. Kids constantly disinfect themselves after matches. We're cleaning ourselves much more than in other sports."

While Matthews isn't thrilled about the masks, he is confident his athletes will learn to adapt quickly, "Wrestlers are always sticking our face next to something," he said. Local wrestlers will also be receiving masks specially adapted for the sport, hopefully easing the transition. He is more concerned about the online learning requirement, since it means his wrestlers will miss two days per week with their classmates at school, but, again, thinks the Cougar wrestlers are up to the challenge.

"I'm going to make sure we're checking on them during the day, and making sure they're doing their schoolwork, just like we have all year," Matthews said. "But is that another hurdle to jump? Yes. But this is a pretty resilient group and wrestlers are a different breed."

Niwot's 2020-21 wrestling season is scheduled to kick-off with tryouts on Jan. 18. The Cougars' first competition, a quad meet against Fort Morgan, Frederick, and Windsor, is scheduled for Jan. 30. Assuming, of course, public health conditions don't prompt yet another reversal.