During the 2025 season, 10 athletes in West Grand School District competed in Kremmling’s wrestling club team.  

Members of the team included sixth grader Critter Wood, eighth graders Carly Wood and Ashton Lokhart, ninth grader Caleb Klotz, 11th graders Walker Howell, Landon Lockhart, Ruben Hatcher, Lance Eisenman and Aiden Klotz, and graduate Lawson Landrus. 

“All the wrestlers had fantastic seasons with some big wins,” said West Grand wrestling coach Mitch Lockhart. “As always, our number one goal is to have fun while getting better and to continue to build the culture of our wrestling family.”

Wrestlers competed in both the Greco and freestyle wrestling season. Age groups are split up in 12 and under, 14 and under, 16 and under, and juniors which is equivalent to 18 and under.

Coach Lockhart added that the wrestlers in 16 and under and juniors had their eyes set on qualifying for the U.S. Marine Corps Junior Nationals in Fargo, North Dakota from July 10 to 19, which is recognized as the biggest junior wrestling tournament in the world. For 2025, a record number of wrestlers went to the mat — 8,531, compared to a previous record of 8,062 in 2024.

To prepare for the challenge, each style — freestyle and Greco — had separate tournaments throughout the season. Starting in April, wrestlers practiced four days a week and competed every weekend, mostly in the Denver area. 

The path to Nationals

“Through the season we had lots of ups and downs,” said Coach Lockhart. “Out of the older group, we were able to qualify three for Fargo. This year in Fargo, we improved greatly.”

Lawson Landrus, Walker Howell and Landon Lockhart headed to the Fargodome in July after fighting hard for their spots.

To earn a spot at nationals, wrestlers must place in the top two at the Colorado National Team Qualifier, Colorado State Tournament in May, or top six at one of the regionals around the country. The younger wrestlers can also compete at those tournaments, but can’t compete in the nationals until they reach the 16 and under category.

Landrus qualified for Greco at the national qualifier by placing second in that style at 215 pounds.

Howell qualified both at the national team qualifier in April and the state tournament in May. He placed first in Greco and within the top six in freestyle at the national qualifier at 157 pounds. He also placed first at state in Greco and fourth in freestyle at 165 pounds. He was able to wrestle both styles in Fargo. Howell finished the season with a 31-18 record.

Landon Lockhart also qualified at both the national qualifier in April . Landon took second in freestyle and third in Greco at 144 pounds at the national qualifier. He took first at state in freestyle and third in Greco at the state tournament at 150 pounds. He also wrestled and qualified for both styles in Fargo.

Both Landon and Howell also qualified for Fargo in 2024. That year, the two boys only won one match in both styles combined.

“This year we combined for seven wins. Landon was 3-2 in freestyle, beating kids from Massachusetts, North Carolina and California,” said Mitch. “(Howell) was 2-2 in freestyle, beating kids from Arizona and Wyoming.”  

Then both Landon and Howell competed in Greco, both earning 1-2. Lawson did not get a win in Fargo this year, despite his determination.  

It was an amazing experience for all the boys and we look forward to the future for west grand wrestling,” Mitch said. “I would really like to thank Travis Wood for all his help coaching and dedication to the club, as well as Shawn Lechman for helping coach, as well.” 

All ages shine in wrestling club

Mitch also gave a shoutout to wrestlers Lance Eisenman and Aiden Klotz, who competed as juniors — “They had tough seasons but improved greatly.”  

Hatcher also wrestled as a junior this season, which was his first year back in wrestling in two years. Previously, he played basketball his freshman and sophomore year; for the upcoming seasons he will concentrate on wrestling.

“It was a steep learning curve, but he did very good,” Mitch added.

Other outstanding performances through the season included Critter Wood placing third in Greco and fourth in freestyle at the western regional tournament in Utah, from May 9-10. He also won third in both freestyle and Greco at the state tournament.

Carly Wood placed third at the western regional in Greco. Then, she placed first at state in freestyle and second in Greco.