Aurora wrestling fixture Greg Maestas is set to receive an honor from the Colorado Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
At the organization’s 16th annual Hall of Fame Honors banquet on Saturday at the Marriott Hotel in Colorado Springs, the veteran Grandview High School wrestling coach will be one of seven recipients of the Lifetime Service to Wrestling award.
Maestas coach at Overland from 1988-1992 before moving over to Grandview when the school opened. His coaching resume includes 16 league or regional team championships, 10 top-five finishes at the state wrestling tournament and a total of 195 state qualifiers. Additionally, Maestas has coached nine high school All-Americans, 13 state champions, 84 state place winners and two national champions.
In addition to his work with his team, Maestas is active with the Colorado High School Coaches Association, the National Wrestling Coaches Association and USA Wrestling.
Joining Maestas in receiving the Lifetime Service awards are Bill Bragg, David DeGiacomo, Mickey DeRock, Harlan Hankins, Art Martinez and Harvey Starbuck.
Another Grandview coach will be honored at the banquet, as Ben Menzor was selected Youth coach of the year.
Menzor — who wrestled on Maestas’ team for two years in high school — has coached the school’s youth wrestling team for over six years and led it to top-five finishes at the Colorado Youth All-State Tournament five times.
Honorees get their names on the wall at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Okla.
COLORADO CHAPTER FOR NATIONAL WRESTLING HOF AWARDS
Youth coach of year: BEN MENZOR, GRANDVIEW
High school coach of year: Mike Caciari, Valley High School
College coach of year: Chuck Pipher, Colorado Mesa University
High school wrestler of year: P.T. Garcia, Bear Creek High School
Youth wrestler of year: Josiah Rider
Wrestling officials of the year: Ryun Mendoza and L.D. Powell
Wrestling media award: Tim Yount, On the Mat
Dave DeGiacomo Award: Steve Valdez
Special Merit Award: Kevin Bracken “Impact on success of Youth Wrestling at all Levels.”
— Courtney Oakes, sports editor
