Niwot High wrestling post season awards

The wrestling season came to a close as Niwot High School's Cougars gathered to celebrate their accomplishments at the team's annual postseason awards banquet at the end of March. The night recognized both standout performances and the energy, effort, and leadership that defined the program this year.

"It was an overall really good season," Head Coach Michael DeCamillis said. "We had a lot of new people on the team, and all of them went out and competed."

The Cougars sent three athletes to state this year: Ryder Evans, Eli Quesada, and Jonathan Lopez, two of whom will return next season, with one graduating this spring. Their success, according to Coach DeCamillis, reflects not only talent but also resilience and mental toughness developed over the course of a challenging season.

One of the season's standout moments came during regionals, when senior Ryder Evans faced a high-pressure match with a ticket to state on the line. Coming off a string of tough losses earlier in the season, Evans had to win a third-place match to avoid a wrestle-back scenario.

DeCamillis was proud of the determination that Evans showed as he bounced back from a rough semifinal. "The grit that he showed and his drive there was really something that we've been preaching all year and it was great to see," DeCamillis said.

Regionals also provided a highlight for Jonathan Lopez, who, despite past struggles with closing out matches, kept his wrestle-back bout tight until the final seconds. Tied 1–1 with just thirty seconds left, Lopez executed a series of moves that impressed both coaches and teammates. "It was great to see that," DeCamillis said. "He struggled a bit in later matches, but in those last thirty seconds, he was really awesome."

Senior night against Fossil Ridge High School was another high point, with strong performances from Evans, Maddox Brown, and Max Burke-Bedell. Coach DeCamillis noted that even in difficult matchups, his seniors showed resilience and skill in front of a home crowd.

Several athletes were recognized with the annual Outstanding Award, given to one wrestler from each grade who demonstrated 100% effort on the mat throughout the season. This year's recipients were freshman Armando Montano, sophomore Ryne Frain, junior Eli Quesada, and Evans, a senior.

In addition, DeCamillis introduced a new award this year called the Heart of a Cougar Award. Inspired by a tradition from his alma mater, Broomfield High School, where he graduated in 2018, the award recognizes athletes who display leadership, perseverance, and sportsmanship, even when their results may not always show up on the scoreboard.

"It's the kids that do all the work, but they might not see all the success," DeCamillis explained. "But they're there everyday, and they're being examples in practice, on the mat, and in the classroom. They're kids that other kids want to follow."

This year's Heart of a Cougar recipients were Brown and Duke Marion.

Leadership and positive team culture were central themes throughout the banquet. Coach DeCamillis praised his team for the energy the athletes brought to every match and for building an environment that welcomed newcomers and encouraged growth.

"You have to be able to wrestle someone you know, and you have to be able to make quick friends," DeCamillis added, emphasizing how wrestling builds not just athletes, but strong bonds of trust and sportsmanship.

As the Cougars look ahead to the next season, the foundation laid this year will continue to shape the team's identity of grit, growth, and heart.