What started as a regular home meet at Falcon High School in Falcon turned into a fast-moving fundraiser for Grand Junction Central wrestlers after a serious school activity bus crash earlier this month. Falcon athletes, coaches, and families redirected admissions and concession proceeds to injured wrestlers and their families, using the night to send both cash and encouragement as several Central athletes continue to recover in hospitals.
Falcon turns home mat into support line
For the midweek meet, Falcon coaches invited extra spectators and arranged for most of the ticket and concession revenue to go straight to the Grand Junction Central program, organizers said. Head coach Robert Lovato told KOAA that his staff and wrestlers quickly rallied around the idea to help families facing mounting medical costs. Senior Conor Heron said stepping up for fellow wrestlers felt “important” after hearing about the crash, according to the station’s report.
Crash in Lakewood sends wrestlers to hospitals
The crash happened on a Saturday night when an SUV hit the activity bus carrying Central High School wrestlers as the bus attempted a left turn near Kipling Parkway and West 6th Avenue. Multiple students and coaches were taken to area hospitals, and authorities said several people were ejected from the vehicles at the scene. Investigators have said speed appeared to be a major factor, as reported by CBS Colorado.
Ongoing investigation and potential charges
Lakewood police arrested a 22-year-old man in connection with the collision and booked him on multiple counts tied to the crash. After a passenger later died, prosecutors began reviewing whether to pursue additional charges. Local reporting notes that the investigation is still active and that speed likely played a major role. Those details were outlined by the Denver Gazette.
On the mat, rivals act like family
Organizers said the money raised at Falcon will go toward immediate medical needs and other support for affected families. Coaches told reporters they are already looking forward to the day Central’s wrestlers can return to competition, stressing that once the whistle stops, rival programs tend to act more like extended family than opponents. Falcon’s fundraiser and similar community gestures across Colorado were highlighted by KRDO.
