Rising Stars and Returning Champions Shine at Niwot Invitational

At the Niwot High School wrestling tournament, a mix of seasoned veterans and emerging talents made their mark, showcasing the depth and intensity of Colorado high school wrestling. Among the standout performers was Legacy’s Matthew Clifton, who dominated the 132-pound class, while Frederick’s Dominick Abeyta continued his impressive rise as a junior wrestler.

Clifton, a returning bronze medalist from the state championships, demonstrated his prowess by securing the title with relative ease. He advanced through the bracket with a pin, a tech fall, and two major decisions, maintaining an undefeated record this season with a 26-1 win-loss ratio. His only loss came at the Northern Colorado Christmas Tournament, a highly competitive event often considered more challenging than a state championship.

“I’ve been working hard all offseason,” Clifton said. “I did two-a-days all summer, and my teammates have worked just as hard. When we’re in the wrestling room, we push each other and fight to win.”

Abeyta, on the other hand, took a different path. Last season, he was competing at the junior varsity level, but this year, he has proven that confidence can be a powerful tool. At the Niwot Invitational, he finished second in the 138-pound class after defeating Erie’s Noah Bridgewater, a three-time state qualifier and eighth-ranked wrestler in Class 5A. Although he fell short in the finals to Horizon’s Bobby Mitchell, ranked third in 5A, Abeyta’s performance signaled a promising future.

“Before, I’d get intimidated by guys who were bigger or stronger than me,” Abeyta admitted. “But this year is my year. I go out there and do my thing and hope for the best.”

Football Players Turned Wrestlers Show Resilience

Some athletes transition from football to wrestling, and the physical demands of both sports are vastly different. However, the resilience required in football often translates well to the mat. Erie’s Tyler Muir, a former football player, exemplified this during the tournament. In the 175-pound finals, he faced Palisade’s Jacob Snodgrass and lost 7-0. But after taking a knee to the face, Muir showed incredible determination, winning the match with a second-period pin despite a bloody nose.

“I got popped with his knee, and it flipped a switch in me,” Muir said. “I got angry and caught him after a takedown and put him on his back.”

Holy Family’s Adam Moore, who had a standout sophomore season on the football field with 112 tackles, also made an impact in wrestling. He won the 157-pound title by decision, helping his team finish in ninth place in the 3A division. Moore and his freshman teammate, Tyler McCracken, who won the 113-pound class, led the Tigers to a sixth-place finish, their best among local teams.

“We had an all-time high last year, finishing in the top 10,” Moore said. “This year, our goal is to finish in the top three and maybe even win a championship.”

Young Talent Makes Waves

Among the most impressive performances was that of Lyons’ Rowan Gantzer. At 106 pounds, he pinned his first two opponents in a combined time of 1:42 before securing a second-period pin in the finals. His rapid success highlighted the growing talent in the region.

Loveland emerged as the team champion, while other local teams like Erie, Frederick, Legacy, Boulder, Skyline, Niwot, and Lyons placed seventh, eighth, ninth, 14th, 15th, 17th, and 19th, respectively.

NIWOT — Legacy’s Matthew Clifton (blue) won the 132-pound title at the Niwot Wrestling Invitational on Saturday, Jan, 1, 2026 at Niwot High School. (Photo By Brent W. New/BoCoPreps)

Erie’s Tyler Muir, center, won the 175-pound title at the Niwot Invitationals on Saturday. (Brent W. New/BoCoPreps.com)

NIWOT — Holy Family’s Adam Moore (right) won the 157-pound title at the Niwot Wrestling Invitational on Saturday, Jan, 1, 2026 at Niwot High School. (Photo By Brent W. New/BoCoPreps)