Niwot wrestlers compete at Granite Peaks League Tournament

The Niwot High School wrestling team clashed with Silver Creek High School on Thursday, Jan. 23, before heading back to Silver Creek for more at the Granite Peaks League Tournament on Saturday, Jan. 25, unveiling the young athletes' raw determination and skill.

The dual meet on Thursday revealed a series of intense matchups across multiple weight classes.

In the 132-pound category, Niwot sophomore Diesel Bateman emerged as a standout performer, executing a lightning-fast pin against Silver Creek's Nathaniel Whitt in just 50 seconds.

Niwot junior Eli Quesada engaged in a nail-biting match in the 165-pound weight class culminating in a narrow 14-12 decision victory over Zach Dominguez of Silver Creek. His strategic approach and mental fortitude were on full display, demonstrating the nuanced skills required to succeed in this demanding sport.

Not all matches went Niwot's way. Silver Creek wrestler Finn Pendergast secured the win over Niwot junior Adam Shoning in the 126-pound class and Ibrahim Kabore secured the fall over Senior Max Burke Bedell in the 215-pound division, both matches that showcased the competitive nature of the dual meet.

On Saturday, the action intensified when fourteen schools and 138 wrestlers came together at the Granite Peaks League Conference Tournament hosted by Silver Creek, creating a high-stakes environment where wrestlers battled not just for individual glory, but for team pride.

Bedell proved to be a resilient competitor in the 215-pound weight class. He started strong, winning his first consolation match by fall against Julian Garcia Perez from Broomfield High School. Although he was ultimately eliminated, Bedell's performance demonstrated the potential brewing within the Niwot wrestling program.

Niwot's Maddox Brown's journey in the 157-pound category was particularly compelling. He began with a bye in the championship round, then secured an impressive fall victory against Felipe Bucey from Fairview High School. His tournament run came to an end in the semifinals and consolation rounds.

Quesada (165) and Lucas Menza (175) faced significant challenges in their respective weight classes. Despite early promise and a bye in their initial rounds, both wrestlers encountered tough opponents who cut short their tournament hopes. Menza managed a notable major decision victory against Simon Gentile from Fairview, scoring 10-1 and earning valuable team points.

In the championship and consolation rounds, Niwot junior Jonathan Lopez faced challenging matches. In the first round, Junior Rodriguez from Skyline High School defeated Lopez by fall at 4:34. After receiving a bye in the consolation first round, Lopez was subsequently pinned by Stanley Hernandez from Holy Family High School in 1:57 during the second consolation round.

The Cougars will once again hit the mat at the Regional Tournament on Saturday, Feb. 8 at Mead High School.