From the time that he stepped onto a wrestling mat at the tender age of three, Dolores Wrestling Club standout JJ Robson felt at home. Hours of practice never fazed the young man, and as time passed, his prowess and love for his sport grew.
Thus, it was not altogether surprising when, on March 31, Robson won three consecutive matches at the Colorado Super State Tournament and was crowned champion in the 49-pound weight class of the kindergarten/first grade division.
As JJ’s parents, Rachel Robson and Josh Robson cheered, their son stepped to the top of a podium, where he was presented with a bracket and a gold championship belt that signified his status as one of Colorado’s top young wrestlers.
“I started wrestling when I was three, and I’ve been wrestling for four years,” JJ Robson said. “I practice a lot, and I like that wrestling is so hard. The only time I don’t practice is if I’m sick.”
To win the championship, JJ Robson pinned Raymond Hernandez of Growler’s Wrestling Club in the quarterfinals and then pinned Colorado Bad Boys club member Lathim Garcia in the semifinals.
JJ Robson then faced off against the Lincoln Jr. Lancers’ Eliyano Garcia for the title and was awarded the victory after Garcia slammed JJ Robson and was disqualified.
Asked what was going through their minds after their son won, Rachel Robson and Josh Robson smiled and explained that they were overtaken with emotion and pride.
“I was shocked,” Rachel Robson said. “It was a very proud moment.”
“It took a little time to sink in,” Josh Robson added. “I got a little emotional because it was a big accomplishment for a young man. His heart and determination is amazing, and he hates losing. He’s young, but he’s really technical, and positioning is what wins matches.”
Josh Robson went to explain that when JJ Robson began wrestling, his parents would buy him a toy every time he medaled at a tournament. Medal-winning performances soon became so common, however, that the family had to switch things up.
“When JJ Robson first started (wrestling), I told him that if he won a medal, I’d get him a toy,” Josh Robson said, smiling. “Then it got too expensive, and we had to stick with ice cream (rewards) after that.”
According to his parents, JJ is one of more than 60 youth wrestlers who compete as a member of the Dolores Wrestling Club. The club is coached by several coaches, including Dolores High School head coach Grant Hobbs, George Eichner, and Josh Robson.
Club members practice several times per week and compete in numerous tournaments throughout Colorado while learning life lessons that coaches and parents believe will last a lifetime.
“(Wrestling) teaches drive, and it teaches them self-discipline,” Josh Robson said. “A wrestler will have a better work ethic when they get older.”
“The harder you work, the better off you’ll be, and that’s a great life lesson,” Rachel Robson said.
Other Dolores Wrestling Club members who placed at the Super State tournament included Bodie Stiegelmeyer, who placed third in the 53-pound weight class of the fourth/fifth grade division, and Degan Lake, fifth in the 62-pound weight class of the second/third grade division. Teagun Samora also represented Dolores at the tournament.