Student Athlete of the Week Parker Sullivan

Parker Sullivan will be learning by trial and error this winter as he navigates his first competitive wrestling season.

After moving from Austin, Texas to Colorado before this school year, he joined the Niwot High School boys wrestling team and hasn't exactly been eased into his new sport. The 150-pound junior wrestled at Niwot's annual Gary Daum Classic on Saturday, Jan. 6 and was immediately matched up with Air Academy's Lucas Plunkett, who later took first in the weight class.

Although he was ultimately pinned by Plunkett at the 2:38 mark, Sullivan jokingly took some solace in his fall occurring after the first period.

"I thought I was probably going to lose faster," Sullivan said with a grin.

Sullivan did, however, fall midway through the opening period of his only consolation match to Horizon's Colton Scott. The biggest lesson learned from his first varsity tournament? "Be more aggressive."

Fortunately for Sullivan, he's not alone in his journey.

"Everyone's super friendly," Sullivan said of his Niwot team. "It's basically just a big family. Everyone's super close and you know everyone."

With plenty of experienced teammates to steal knowledge from, including top Niwot wrestlers Ryder Evans and Gavin Burrage, Sullivan is learning the sport at a quick pace. Sullivan shared that he observes Evans closely in hopes of gaining anything he can.

"I've been watching some of Ryder's films - he's pretty good," Sullivan said. "I learned how to stay on top better."

Niwot head coach Bobby Matthews has also noticed that Sullivan is doing everything right as he develops. Consistent wins may not come for a while, but Sullivan's impressive approach to wrestling has Matthews optimistic for his future.

"Parker has actually come a long way," Matthews said. "He's got a great motor, great attitude, great work ethic, and he just keeps pushing himself over and over. I'm excited to see where this takes him."

Perhaps even more encouraging, Matthews believes that Sullivan is growing a passion for the sport.

"I think he's starting to fall in love with it a little bit," Matthews said. "It wasn't something that he did in Texas. It's a new sport to him and being a junior (at) 140, 150 pounds is not easy, but I'm really encouraged by what he's doing."