Year Inducted: 2019
Nominated By: Dino Aragon, Jr. (son)
Sports Competed In: Wrestling
Athlete, Coach or Contributor: Athlete, Coach, Contributor
Prior to High School:
● Started wrestling at 14 years old at the Boys and Girls Club under the guidance of coach Jack Scammahorn.
● Youth State Wrestling Champion (1973).
High School:
Attended Pueblo Central H.S., graduating in 1977.
Achievements:
High School:
● He was the Wildcats first four-year letterman, wrestling all four years on the varsity squad.
● Boys and Girls Club coach Jack Scammahorn coached him for three years before Fred Rodriquez took over during his senior year.
● State qualifier during his junior and senior seasons.
● He finished his career placing fourth in the state as a senior.
College:
Attended Adams State College (which is now known as Adams State University) from 1977-81.
Achievements:
College:
He helped the Indians to three NAIA Team National Championships and one-year runner up under coach Richard Ulrich.
Coaching Career:
● While going to college at ASC (1977), coached eight seasons (until 2005) at the Pueblo Original Wrestling Association (POWA) under President Mr. Rice, John Mooring and Cody Wilson.
● Coached kids of all ages and abilities in the fundamental rules of wrestling.
● He taught freestyle, greco and folkstyle wrestling.
● Also coached for five seasons at Pueblo South High School (1980-85) and Fowler High School (1995-2000).
Professoinal Affiliations/Achievements:
● Board member of POWA.
● Worked as a wrestling official for 22 years at USA Wrestling.
● Certified official for District 3 of the Colorado Wrestling Officials Association (CWOA).
● Has officiated 21 State Championship Tournaments and 35 Regional Championships.
● Worked as the Head Wrestling Official for 10-years at the Rocky Mountain Nationals Wrestling.
Related Activities:
● Volunteers his time assisting his son, Dino Aragon, Jr., who is the head wrestling coach at Pueblo Centennial High School.
● Presently, he assists in coaching his grandson, Ryan Martinez, Jr., and granddaughter, Ariana Martinez.
Personal:
Born in Rocky Ford, CO in 1958...He has been a residence of Pueblo for over 50 years with his wife Anna.