This past weekend was the Top of the Rockies Tournament at Centaurus High School in Lafayette, CO.  The tournament was started in 1997 as a small 8 team tournament and has grown to one of the top tournaments west of the Mississippi.  It now hosts 32 schools.  The tournaments has had teams from California, Arizona, Oregon, New Mexico, Wyoming, Kansas, Utah and Nebraska. 

 The tournament has seen numerous outstanding NCAA champions, All Americans and even an Olympic Champion.  Some of the past champions include Eric Larkin and Nate Gallick of Sunnyside, AZ .  Phil Keddy who attended school in Uintah, Utah and the University of Iowa defeated Sonny Yohn of Alamosa, CO and University of Minnesota in the semi-finals of this great tournament.  Other outstanding wrestlers Gabe and Micah Burak who both attended University of Pennsylvania and Cornado High School in Colorado Springs, CO.  John and Dan Braschetta of Grandview High School in Aurora and Oregon State, David Marone Broomfield High School now attending Virginia Tech.  Scott Frohard of Ponderosa High School and the Air Force Academy.  Scott was also a NCAA All American. 

 Of course I can't forget to mention Henry Cejudo of Coronado High School in Colorado Springs, CO who was Gold medalist in the 2008 Olympic Games.  Henry completed dominated this tournament. 

 We had our third four time Top of the Rockies champion this year, Connor Medbery of Loveland High School.  The other two four timers were Tom Clum, Pomona High School, University of Wisconsin, NCAA All American and Tyler Graff of Loveland High School, University of Wisconsin, NCAA All American. Conor Medbury will follow in their footsteps and attend the University of Wisconsin.

 But to me the greatest wrestler to particpate in this tournament was a young man who never won the tournament.  He was on the best and greatest team of all time, the Navy Seals.  His name was Mario Maestas and he wrestled at Centaurus High School in Lafayette.  Mario was a runner up at this tournament his senior year and finished 6th at the state tournament in 1999.  Mario's strength, courage and ability to always do his best cost him his life on July 3, 2003 serving our great nation.  The wrestling room at Centaurus has been dedicated to his memory. 

 

Any coaches interested in attending this tournament next year please contact, Paul Roper, Athletic Director at Centaurus High School at 720-561-7500, or J.C. Roper at 303-520-3874.

 

For individual brackets please see website below.

 

http://bvsd.org/SCHOOLS/CENTAURUS/ATHLETICS/Pages/TopoftheRockies2011.aspx

1 164.50 Pomona
2 124.00 Rio Rancho
3 122.50 Green River
4 122.00 Greeley West
5 116.50 Alamosa
6 109.50 Broomfield
7 108.50 Grand Island
8 94.00 Roosevelt
9 82.50 Arvada
10 81.00 Mountain Range
11 80.50 Ponderosa
12 80.00 Loveland
13 72.50 Legacy
14 72.00 Pueblo South
72.00 Grandview
16 70.00 Grand Junction Central
17 69.50 Valley
18 68.00 Thompson Valley
19 64.50 Fort Lupton
20 64.00 Rocky Mountain
21 60.00 Cherry Creek
22 58.00 Cheyenne Central
23 57.50 Brighton
24 47.50 Franklin
25 43.00 Kelly Walsh
43.00 Fort Morgan
27 37.50 Denver East
37.50 Centaurus
29 26.00 Chaparral