As he competed in the final leg of his high school wrestling career, Northview High Wyatt Lewis had a list of colleges he wanted to attend and continue his college career. However, due to the Coronavirus and all the social distancing guidelines that followed, Lewis did not get as many chances as he wanted to explore those programs before making his decision.

Lewis decided to compete for Division II power Colorado School of Mines over Davidson College, York College, Augustana College, and the University of Chicago to continue his wrestling career. Lewis had a senior record of 32-11 and finished as the league and CIF champion with a seventh-place finish at the Southern Section Masters Meet tournament to advance to the rugged California state tournament.

“At the end of my junior year, I visited Davidson College for a recruiting trip. Nevertheless, I did not feel Davidson was the place for me. However, at the School of Mines, it was different. I felt welcomed by the staff and wrestlers. I knew right away School of Mines was the place for me,” said Lewis

Lewis said he felt a connection with the Colorado of School of Mines staff led by Austin DeVoe and a group of future teammates who showed the same level of commitment and focus as he did.

“Coach DeVoe believes in me and I believe in him. I want to succeed and have the same success I had at Northview competing under Coach Bobby Bellamy and David Ochoa.’

Lewis captained the Viking wrestling squad during his senior year along with fellow state qualifiers Adrian Limon, Collin Hayes, and Rigo Estrada. Lewis’s introduction to combat sports began at the young age of 4-years old when his father (Matt) took him to learn Jiu-Jitsu. Lewis competed in Jiu-Jitsu until his sophomore year of high school. After that, wrestling became his main sport.

Lewis was hoping to make some noise during his senior campaign. However, he tore his labrum at the beginning of the season, and he did not have the best senior-season he had hope for. Nevertheless, he was triumphant in advancing to the California state tournament which is considered by many of his peers as the most competitive tournament in the nation.

Lewis said he will pursue applied mathematics as a major, which was another point in the School of Mines favor. A senior who competed at 152-pounds. Lewis figures to fit the mold of either at 157 or 165 at the next level.

“I hope to eventually compete for a starting spot and become an NCAA champion in the future.’