Ron Granieri's coaching credentials make him an easy choice for Hall of Fame "Lifetime to Service" recognition A prep coach for more than three decades in Colorado, Granieri earned legendary status for the teams he put on the mat on an annual basis.

During a career that included stops at Mapleton (1986-88), Skyview (1988-90), Thornton (1990-94), Standley Lake (1994-2006) and Arvada West (2006-2019) . Granieri won three state team titles (one at Standley Lake and two at Arvada West). He also coached 14 individual state champions, including four time champ Chris Nissen, three time winner Steve Granieri, and two time champs Sean Hanlon, Matt Nissen, Payton Tawater, and Devon Rothrock.

Granieri also earned state coach of the year honors three times (2002, 2015 and 2019). Along with three state team titles, he coached numerous other top 10 finishers in the state meet as well as a host of regional and league championship teams.

Granieri passed away in April, 2019. Along with the legacy of champions he built over his career, he also left behind the legacy of being a coach who was a mentor and friend to virtually everyone who crossed his path. That legacy, say those who knew him, will carry on for generations. His Hall of Fame nomination form, submitted by a former wrestler, said this: "Not only was he a great coach, he was a great man—to everyone. He turned his back on no one. He never once gave up on a kid, not even when they deserved it. Ron Granieri had the patience of a saint and never met a kid he didn't like. He was tough as nails, yet there was nothing he wouldn't do for 'his' kids, it didn't matter who you wrestled for, you were one of his own and he treated you like that. The Colorado wrestling community lost a great coach, mentor and friend...without a doubt he dedicated his life to the sport. He coached many amazing kids who are now better men because of him."

Granieri attended Mapleton High School and then North Eastern Junior College. Along with his high school head coaching career, he also coached several youth programs in the state. And wherever he went, he left an indelible impression. Longtime Colorado prep coach and Colorado Chapter/Hall of Fame board member Mark Schmidt coached against Granieri often throughout his career, and then worked with him as an assistant coach. Schmidt said there was no doubt about Granieri's coaching ability. The results are there. Schmidt also remembered Granieri's kindness, heart, and love for every wrestler in his room—not just the great ones. "All coaches love their state champions," Schmidt said. "Heck, that's easy to do. But Ron respected every kid on his team. He cared about everybody. We all know about his state champions, but he touched the hearts and lives of hundreds, thousands of kids over the years. Anybody can coach. It's the guys who coach everyone — no matter their ability — who are really special, the guys you remember."

Granieri's impact was no doubt felt in Colorado wrestling circles for more than 30 years. Last season, the annual tournament hosted by Arvada West was renamed the "Ron Granieri Memorial Invitational" in his honor. His influence, Schmidt said, is one that reached far beyond the trophy case and podium. "Ron was a coach for everybody," Schmidt said. "Everybody mattered to Ron, because that's the kind of man he was."