Wrestling team wrestles with victory

The Niwot Cougars wrestling team wrapped up the final dual meet of the season on Feb. 1 against Fort Morgan High School, suffering a 69-9 defeat.

It’s no secret the squad has struggled to find its footing this season. Niwot has taken home a victory only in the very first dual of the season against Wheat Ridge, sporting a score of 60-18. Since then injuries and illness have taken a toll on the squad.

Against Fort Morgan, only Ryder Evans and Jonathan Lopez brought in points for the Cougars in the 144-pound and 285-pound weight classes, respectively. Evans contributed three points to the team’s overall score with a 7-1 decision.

Lopez pinned his opponent 5:30 into the match and added six points to the final tally.

For head coach Bobby Matthews, this season has required a change in coaching style. Patience is key for this season, and he has found positives in the effort shown at the practices despite frustrating outings.

“The inexperience has definitely raised its ugly head many, many times,” he said. “I think that we’re starting to do a better job of paying attention and practice and working harder. I think the hardest part is figuring out how to work that hard in practice.But you know, they are learning how to do it, which is good.”

The coaching staff has already set their sights on their postseason run beginning on Feb. 9 and 10 at the CHSAA Class 4A North Region tournament in Eaton. Matthews has high expectations of Gavin Burrage, Lopez, and Evans.

“Kids who aren’t going to go hard and practice will be asked to leave,” he said. “We just really don't have time, if you're not willing to put in work, to deal with that. So we're going to just really push hard and the kids really want to go to state, they're going to push hard and extend that to three weeks.”