The Golden Eagle Wrestling Club participated in The 2020 Colorado State Wrestling Championships this past weekend. The state tournament was held at the Denver Coliseum in Denver, CO. Approximately 2,000 boy and girl wrestlers from 128 teams from around the State of Colorado competed over the two-day tournament.

The Golden Eagles had 37 wrestlers compete in the Experienced wrestling division, 10 in the Rookie Division, and 1 in the Girls Only Division. In their 6^th year as a wrestling club, the Golden Eagles had their best performance to-date. Approximately 35% (11 Placers) of the experienced wrestlers placed besting their 2018 season performance with only five placers. In addition, they were close to placing 4 wrestlers who fell short in the infamous “blood round.” The Golden Eagles placed 11^th overall in the team standings with 184 team points. “We are very happy for our kids.” Said, Coach Scott McDoniel. “They battled tough from start to finish and it showed. Our preparation for this tournament was spot on and we met or exceeded every tournament goal we had for our club.”  The overall team finish is far better than in previous years scoring 80 points more this year than in 2018 and 2019. . Over the past four years the Golden Eagles placed 26^th, 24^th, and 45^th respectively.

The Golden Eagle Wrestling Club’s Rookie Team continues to be one of the top teams in the State of Colorado. The Golden Eagles placed 2^nd overall out of 102 Rookie Teams.  The Rookie team scored 137.5 team points and had 6 state placers with 2, Rookie State Champions; Dillon Huver and Matthew Bevirt. Two additional Golden Eagles had the chance to become state champions but fell short in the State Finals; Rylan Deyerling and Austin Huver. The Golden Eagles Rookie State Team has placed top three the past four years; 2020=State Runner Up, 2019=State Champions, 2018, 3^rd Place Team, 2017= 3^rd Place Team.

Experienced Division State Placers   

Dillon Huver, 4^th Place, 6 & Under

Easton Parker, 4^th Place, 8 & Under

Ethan Diaz, 4^th Place, 15 & Under

Griffin Langer, 5^th Place, 15 & Under

Phoenix Straub, 5^th Place, 10 & Under

Zavier Straub, 5^th Place, 10 & Under

Austyn Modrzewski, 6^th Place, 12 & Under

Cooper Torpy, 6^th Place, 10 & Under

Henry McDoniel, 6^th Place, 8 & Under

Lance Alexander, 6^th Place, 12 & Under

Matthew Kimberly, 6^th Place, 12 & Under

Rookie Division State Placers 

Dillon Huver, 1^st  Place, 6 & Under

Matthew Bevirt, 1^st Place, 8 & Under

Austin Huver; 2^nd Place, 8 & Under

Carson Toller, 2^nd Place, 8 & Under

Rylan Deyerling, 3^rd Place, 8 & Under

Jackson Wirth, 3^rd Place, 12 & Under

                                          
The Golden Eagles made major strides towards being one of the top clubs in Colorado. “This was the  year when we moved from just a developmental wrestling club to a competitive wrestling club” says McDoniel. “Our Club Coaches, Adam and Patrick Carey, and I set out to make needed  changes to our club this year to better assist our experienced wrestlers. This is the first step towards continued improvement and we already have identified changes for our experienced wrestlers that will better serve them next winter. Coach McDoniel continuously is seeking improvement and refers a great quote by one of the greatest college wrestlers of all time and now one of the best college wrestling coaches; Cael Sanderson.

“Unless you continually work, evolve, and innovate, you'll learn a quick and painful lesson from someone who has.”—Cael Sanderson, Olympic Gold Medalist, World Champion, and 4x NCAA Champion.

However, Coach McDoniel recognizes the importance of team and parent support. Having an idea and direction is one thing but to have the support of your coaches and parents is altogether different. The kids and parents bought into the change and the results is their commitment to the process. It was not easy nor will it ever be easy but our wrestlers were committed and it showed, said McDoniel.

The Golden Eagles will conclude their Scholastic Folkstyle season in two weeks at Rocky Mountain National Championships. They will transition to their Olympic Development Program in late March. Registration for Spring wrestling is currently open and interested wrestlers have two options for Spring; Scholastic/Folkstyle Fundamentals & Olympic Development. The Golden Eagles accepts wrestlers at all levels and genders. To learn more visit their website: www.GoldenEagleWrestling.com