Conifer High School wrestling is making a comeback
CONIFER, Colo. — When Nick Adamson accepted the role of head coach for the Conifer High School wrestling team in 2021, he had his work cut out for him. The wrestling program – one of the most competitive and consistent in the state during Conifer’s early years – had been completely defunct since the sport disappeared from both the school and the community in the mid-2010s.
“When I moved to the Conifer area back in 2016, the sport of wrestling was in a really rough spot,” says Adamson. “Our youth program was on life support and our high school team was just a memory.”
Starting with just seven wrestlers in 2021 – only one of whom had ever been on a mat before – Adamson and his team have grown the high school program to nearly 30 wrestlers strong this year and have set their sights on restoring the Lobos’ competitive standing not only within Jefferson County, but also the entire 3A classification within Colorado. The coaching staff includes Adamson and assistant coaches Tim Book, Captain Payne and Jack Prentner, and the team is led by captains Trace Avery, Asher Phillips, and Tristan Swanson.
“They were among the original group that started the program a few years back and provide a very important role in helping all of our new wrestlers understand what it truly means to be a wrestler and what it means to be a Lobo,” Adamson says of the team captains. “Wrestling is usually the hardest thing these young men have undertaken to this point in their lives. There can be a steep learning curve in adjusting both physically and mentally. Our veterans do a great job in helping [our new wrestlers] gain confidence and understand how strong they can be when they put their minds to something.”
From day one, the first and most important aspect of wrestling the coaches address is mental preparation. “Wrestling is an extremely difficult endeavor in a variety of capacities,” explains Adamson. “Not only is the right mindset paramount to success on the mat, but it also helps these young men develop into great people and leaders as they move into adulthood. Things like integrity, will, fortitude and confidence are required to succeed, both in wrestling and in life.”
Beyond the mental aspect, the coaches spend much of their time on year-round physical training and teaching student-athletes specific wrestling skills and techniques. Adamson notes that living and training at high altitude also gives Conifer wrestlers a significant advantage and enhances their overall conditioning and physicality. Some of his most gratifying moments as a coach are when he sees wrestlers finally achieve something they’ve been working toward, whether it’s getting their hand raised for the first time or picking themselves up after a setback and continuing to push toward their goals.
“I started out with just a handful of young men I doubt had ever even seen a wrestling match and probably didn’t know what they were getting themselves into. Over the past couple of years, I’ve watched them all learn to believe in themselves, understand what they can achieve if they commit themselves to a goal, and become great leaders, great wrestlers, and great men,” says Adamson. “After a huge amount of time and effort, I couldn’t be prouder of where the wrestling program is now. There are some truly amazing and selfless people in our community who have given so much to build what we have. It fills my heart to see, and words can’t express the gratitude I have for the support from the community, the schools, families, and everyone involved with our youth club (Mountain Grapplers Wrestling Club) and high school program. The future for Lobos wrestling is very bright.”
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