EX-FLHS wrestler returns to familiar surroundings

COLBY, KAN. – Former Fort Lupton High School wrestler Fabian Guerrero is hoping the second time is the charm.
    Guerrero, who attends Colby Community College, finished second among the heavyweights at this year’s National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association regional tournament in Chanute, Kan., which earned him a spot in the national tournament in Rochester, Minn., this weekend. His first-round opponent is Jordan Heiderman of Iowa Western Community College. The winner gets Curtis Blaydes of Harper College in Palatine, Ill., who drew a first-round bye.
    Guerrero made it to the fourth round of the consolation draw last year before he was eliminated.
    “I won three matches and lost two in the round to an All-American,” Guerrero said. “This time, I now know what to expect from the national tournament.”
    Guerrero put the past year to good use.
    Guerrero will join nine of his teammates at the national tournament.
    “This year has been a lot different for me,” he said. “I have a lot more confidence on the mat. I spent all summer lifting and training, doing all the right things for next weekend. Our team this year is looking to have a better performance then last year. We took third as a team in our region and are looking to bring some hardware from the national tourney.”
    The education has been self-absorbing, too.
    “The biggest thing I have learned at Colby is that certain things like this only come around once and you have to live in the moment and embrace every second with your team that you go to battle with,” he said    
    Guerrero wraps up his time at Colby this spring.
    “I will continue wrestling next year,” he said. “I am talking with a couple of schools right now. I am going to wait until after nationals to go on recruitment trips and commit. I will be in the field of criminal justice.”

Contact Sports Editor Steve Smith at ssmith@metrowestnewspapers.com or at 303-659-2522, ext. 224.