Preps fans think about the state wrestling championship as the postseason event in the nation. This ’s because their coaches, families along with 896 qualifiers and supporters from all corners of Colorado descend upon Pepsi Center for an unparalleled, raucous atmosphere more than three days.

Andy Cross, The Denver PostWrestling historian, Bob Smith, center, watches the activity from media row along On The Mat’s Tim Yount, abandoned, throughout his 69th straight wrestling nation championship at the Colorado State Wrestling Championships at the Pepsi Center Feb. 21, 2020.

However, as Bob Smith informs it wasn’t always that way. Smith, 82, is a Colorado Sports Hall of Famer who won 10 state championships since the head trainer at Wray. He was the individual that, in 1982, started pushing for the consolidation of their nation championship (then 3 courses, with each tournament frequently held at separate places ) into one spot.

“Wrestling people love to see decent wrestling, regardless of that it is or where they re out of, which ’s what exactly the nation championship is,” Smith said. “We had to get it all and it took five years for this to occur. ”

Smith eventually succeed at McNichols Arena, where all classifications wrestled their respective state tournaments for the first time. The championship remained at McNichols until moving to Pepsi Center in 2000, and the rest is rowdy Colorado wrestling background.

“How could you not enjoy this atmosphere? ” said Smith, who’s attending his 69th consecutive state championship since qualifying as a sophomore at Denver North in 1952. “These 3 times at the Pepsi Center are exactly what wrestling fans wait for. ”

The following is a timeline of the CHSAA state wrestling championship. All information was provided by Smith, who has emerged as the nation ’s historian on the game.

1936

The CHSAA state is held at Gunter Hall in Greeley, making it the most fifth-oldest prep game in the state behind football, track, boys tennis and basketball. The championship showcased one classification with nine colleges (Greeley, Olathe, Fort Morgan, College High, Grand Junction, Montrose, Golden, Windsor and Fort Collins) along with eight-man brackets (45 total qualifiers). Greeley won.

1936 – 1940

Tournament continues to be kept in Greeley, with Denver city colleges which makes their presence felt. Denver East won in 1937, and following Grand Junction chose the title Denver North won.

1941 – 1946

Tournament moves to Denver East, also Denver North continues to control in six years.

1947

Tournament moves to Denver West, also Denver North wins as a then-record 232 wrestlers compete.

1948

Tournament moves to Denver City Auditorium Annex. It s one course, but for country, a qualifying championship is utilized for the very first time. Denver North gets the five-peat.

1950 – 1952

Tournament moves to Denver University Arena in 1950, when Montrose breaks Denver North’s streak of six straight titles. Fort Collins wins the crown that the subsequent two years.

1953 – 1955

Tournament moves to Denver City Auditorium, also CHSAA starts comprehending the different sizes of colleges in group awards. Colorado Springs won the overall team title although Arvada won the “A” group and Palisade won the “B/C” group.

1956

Tournament moves to Aurora Central.

1957

The championship is held at Aurora Central but extends to two courses for the first time. Division I consists of colleges with enrollment of 351 and up, and Division II will be 350 pupils and below. The year’s entire champion, Montrose, repeats in Division I, although Wray wins the first of a 13 state tiles using its Division II championship.

1958 – 1960

The championship stays at Aurora Central for 3 years and also the state sees its very initial champion crowned in 1959 if Montrose’s Bob Thompson wins the title at 175 lbs.

1961 – 1962

The championship moves to Englewood Fieldhouse.

1963 – 1968

The age of classification separation starts. On distinct weekends in 1963, the Division I championship is held at Englewood Fieldhouse and the Division II championship is held at Aurora Central. Of dividing the championship sites, the tradition continued through the 1970s.

1969

The championship expands to three classes: Class A (enrollment of 175 and below), Class 2A (176 to 550) and Class 3A (551 and up). The tournaments have been staggered a week apart, using A at Greeley, 2A at Hinkley and 3A at Denver City Auditorium. The A brackets are eight-man, not 16.

1970s

The system stays in place along with the tournaments continue to be kept until 1976 in places that are separate. At that time, 2A and 3A just transferred to Auditorium Arena, while the A championship remained in Greeley. Also beginning in 1976, six places have been scored, and in 1978, authentic mounts have been released for the first time.

1980

The A championship moves to the CU Events Center; 2A and 3A tournaments stay at Auditorium Arena.

1981

The A and 2A tournaments have been transferred to Denver Coliseum, although the 3A championship reaches Auditorium Arena.

1982 – 1986

The locations for each courses ’ tournament stay exactly the same as 1981, however from 1982 through 1986, all tournaments are held on exactly the same weekend. As well as the finals for all courses are held at the Denver Coliseum.

1987

The 3 state tournaments have been consolidated into one spot, and 34,400 lovers come out to McNichols Arena which weekend. Fowler (A), Fort Lupton (2A) and Brighton (3A) are crowned winners.

1989

Are enlarged to 13.

1991

The championship expands A/2A, 3A, 4A, 5A and 6A — and also this arrangement stands through 1994. Classes 4A and 6A possess 16-man brackets with 12 contestants.

1995

The championship goes to four classifications — A/2A, 3A, 4A and 5A — around with 16-man brackets.

1997

The championship expands to its 14 weight classes.

2000

The championship is transferred to the Pepsi Center. Wiggins (A/2A), Hotchkiss (3A), Canon City (4A) and Pomona (5A) will be the introduction group winners in “The Can”.

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