Annual Gary Daum Classic at NHS in the books

Organized chaos would be the best way to describe this year's Gary Daum Classic at Niwot High School.

With 21 total teams and five mats running at all times, including one in the auxiliary gym, NHS wrestling head coach Bobby Matthews said the annual boys wrestling tournament was the "biggest it's ever been."

All in all, though, the crowded day went according to plan. Champions were crowned in 14 different weight classes. Pueblo County High School secured the team title on Saturday, Jan. 6.

"We're kind of a duck in the water right now," Matthews said early in the day. "It looks smooth, but there's a lot of paddling going on under the water right now. I just hope it keeps going this way."

Matthews was especially grateful for the abundance of help he received throughout the tournament. While he spent most of his time worrying about the organizational aspects, Niwot assistant coaches Jose Lopez and Nik Blume oversaw the 10 Cougar wrestlers who competed.

"My assistant coaches, Jose Lopez and Nick Blume, are doing an amazing job of picking up the slack and coaching the kids," Matthews said. "I have full trust in them and they've done a great job of coaching them. I'm just kind of making sure the tournament runs smoothly."

Several Niwot wrestling alumni, former coaches, and former team managers also volunteered their time at the scoring tables.These included former NHS assistant coach Mike O'Dell, former manager Jaylenn Rasmussen, Todd Gabriel, Jovani Lopez, Jose Lopez, Max Pecherzewski and Vithal Arya.

Unfortunately for the Cougars, they couldn't find much success on the mats, scoring a tournament-low seven points. Only two Niwot wrestlers managed to win a match: 144-pound junior Ryder Evans pinned his first-round consolation opponent, while senior Russell Ragland (165) won by fall in his opening match before dropping his next two.

Other Niwot wrestlers who competed were Hogan Reester (106), Cole Dudderar (113), Winston Richards (120), Jack Blankenship (132), Hikaru Johnson (138), Parker Sullivan (150), Max Burke Bedell (190) and Shubahan Shrestha (215).

"It was nice to see that everyone showed up," Sullivan said of wrestling in a packed NHS gym.

Niwot was without talented senior Gavin Burrage, who got "banged up" in a dual meet against Berthoud High School the evening prior, according to Matthews.

Up next, the Cougars host Skyline High School in a dual meet on Wednesday, Jan. 10.