Niwot Invitational draws 200+ wrestlers to Niwot

More than 200 wrestlers competing across 14 weight classes from 20 schools across Colorado converged on Niwot High School Saturday, Jan. 4 for the Niwot Invitational wrestling tournament.

The tournament, which has become a significant mid-season test for Colorado prep wrestlers, featured weight classes ranging from 106 to 285 pounds. Niwot fielded competitors in ten of the fourteen weight classes, showing the program's growing depth under new Head Coach Michael DeCamillis.

The host Cougars made their presence felt throughout the day, with junior Ryder Evans leading the charge in a spectacular run to the finals of the 144-pound weight class. Evans, who entered the tournament with an impressive 11-3 record, dominated his early matches with a display of technical excellence rarely seen at the high school level.

Evans opened his campaign with a commanding 18-1 technical fall over Horizon High School's Ethan Ravsten, needing just two minutes to secure the victory. He continued his impressive run in the quarterfinals, shutting out Fort Morgan High School's Marcellus Masias 15-0.

The semifinal round saw Evans face Boulder High School's Isaac Wing, where he again proved dominant in a 16-1 technical fall victory. However, Evans' championship aspirations were halted in the finals by Skyline High School's undefeated Tobias Pinson, who secured the title with a pin at 0:49. Evans' outstanding performance contributed 22.5 points to Niwot's team total.

In the 157-pound division, Niwot's Maddox Brown showcased both skill and determination en route to a fifth-place finish. After starting strong with a quick pin of Northglenn High School's Ansh Multani in just 47 seconds, Brown faced adversity in a 6-2 quarterfinal loss to Vista Ridge High School's Zachary Wixo.

Undeterred, Brown fought back through the consolation bracket, scoring an impressive 18-3 technical fall over Conifer High School's Logan Weed and a solid 9-2 decision against Horizon's Boyd Thomas. Though Brown fell to Palisade High School's Jacob Snodgrass in the consolation semifinals, he closed out his tournament run with a measure of revenge, edging Wixo 8-7 in a thrilling rematch for fifth place.

The upper weight divisions saw Max Burke Bedell carry the Cougar banner in the 215-pound class. After receiving a first-round bye, Bedell faced a tough quarterfinal loss to Erie High School's Wyatt Walston. However, he showed resilience in the consolation rounds, securing a pin against Frederick High School's Troy Meisinger at 2:29.

Bedell's path to a higher placement was blocked by Holy Family High School's Camden Austin in the consolation semifinals, and he ultimately finished sixth after a hard-fought match against Palisade's Hunter Shipp.

Niwot's lighter weight classes saw several wrestlers gaining valuable experience. At 106 pounds, Miles Filkins showed promise with a pin victory over Boulder's Ollie Reynolds, while teammate Hogan Reester faced stiff competition in his matches.

Will Murray demonstrated potential in the 132-pound division with a victory over Boulder's Tegan Sloan, and Lucas Menza added to Niwot's team points with a pin in the 175-pound class over Fort Morgan's Aiden Meraz Chavez.

As the tournament concluded, coaches and officials praised the level of competition and organization, ensuring that the Niwot Invitational will continue to be a premier event on the Colorado high school wrestling calendar for years to come.