MEEKER | Colorado girls wrestling pioneers Cody Pfau and Lauryn Bruggink-Edmonds, attended the Meeker Community Wrestling Club fundraiser barbecue at the historic Green Cabins last Friday, then presented “Wrestling on the White” — an all-girls wrestling clinic — Saturday morning.
a group of wrestlers met last weekend for a clinic on the south bank of the White River. | BOBBY GUTIERREZ PHOTO
Pfau wrestled for Meeker High School her freshman year and then finished high school in Grand Valley. She went on to became a 13-time national champion — including an undefeated senior college season, a five-time world team member, and she placed fifth in the world, twice. Pfau earned a biology degree and currently lives in Denver.
Bruggink-Edmonds wrestled her high school career for the Soroco Rams in Oak Creek, then attended Wayland Baptist University where she was two-time ASIC National All-American and a three-time Academic all-American at WBU. Bruggink-Edmonds earned a degree in physical therapy and is a physical therapist, as well as an accomplished baker. She is married and lives with her husband in North Carolina, where he is stationed in the United States Army.
Both clinicians were excited to help promote the great sport of wrestling, especially girls wrestling, which became an official Colorado High School Activities Association sanctioned sport last year in Colorado and is the fastest growing high school sport in the United States of America.
The two clinicians were joined by strength and conditioning expert Daniel Linsacum, who spoke to those attending the barbecue, as did Phau and Bruggink-Edmonds. Linsacum owns and operates Linsacum Training Institute (LTI) in Grand Junction and led warmups Saturday before the clinic.
Dr. Justin Grant was on call and supportive of the effort. Dr. Grant is a former wrestler (four-time state finalist, two-time state champ and NCAA DII national qualifier) and currently on staff at Pioneers Medical Center.
Twelve girls took advantage of the opportunity, including three from Meeker. Other participants were from Oak Creek, Fruita, Grand Junction and Nucla.
A drone shot of the Meeker wrestling mat along the White River. | RICH KLINZMANN PHOTO
Special thanks to the following supporters/sponsors: Athlos Life, Grant Dentistry, Harvey/Seaton Cattle Co., Linsacum Training Institute (LTI), Northwest Auto Sales and Service, Overton Recycling, RK Web Design, San Juan Backcounty Adventures, Strawberry Creek Outfitters, the Rio Blanco Herald Times, Watts Ranch Market and Wendll’s White River Roasters.
By BOBBY GUTIERREZ – Special to the Herald Times
