Lenny Bachicha has learned many lessons over the years. Some have come on the mat, some off the mat. All of them have led him to this moment as a recipient of the Lifetime Service to Wrestling award from the National Wrestling Hall of Fame - Colorado Chapter. But among them all, one piece of wisdom in particular stands out.

“I was always taught from my dad that whatever you do, you don’t do it for a reward,” Bachicha said. “You do it because you love it, because you have a passion for it.” “But reflecting on it now, I’m very humbled, very excited, knowing that the time I put in meant something. It’s a huge achievement." Bachicha has dedicated his services to wrestling in various capacities — as a competitor and a coach at Fort Lupton, as the president of the Metro Wrestling Youth League, and as a National Wrestling Hall of Fame - Colorado Chapter board member — and he has seen the evolution of the sport first-hand. He also had a hand in growing the Colorado High School State Wrestling tournament into the showcase of talent that it is today, both on the boys' and girls' side. “It’s become more competitive, very competitive,” Bachicha said of the high school scene. “The next thing is we want the girls to advance to have their own state tournament. That’s our vision, and our long-term goal. It would be more work for us, but it would be great.” As a coach, Bachicha has helped to facilitate that growth at the ground level. For more than 30 years he was the president and coach for the Fort Lupton Youth Wrestling program, guiding more than 100 athletes to Metro League championships.

More recently, he has assisted the Fort Lupton high school girls' program to get off the ground - something he hopes to see continue across the state. “A lot of coaches see the importance of youth wrestling, and we really just have to keep it going,” Bachicha said. “(Girl’s wrestling) is still fresh, and we must have the support of the school districts.

“We must let the girls know that they are going to have their own programs, their own coaches, their own practices. That’s huge if we want our sport to grow.” With all the athletes he’s had an impact on over the years, Bachicha recalls two in particular, as highlights from his wrestling life. One athlete, Rylee Jo Balcazar, grew up in Bachicha’s youth wrestling program and won Fort Lupton’s first ever high school girls state championship before going on to a collegiate career at Chadron State.

“It was the culmination of 13 years that we had worked together,” Bachicha said. “Seeing her win that state championship … that was my special moment.” Another, Ryan Swanson, never won a state or even regional championship. In fact, his best finish was a runner-up performance at districts as a senior. But Bachicha recalls the year-to-year improvement and dedication of Swanson as something that stands out among the rest. “(Swanson) was just a bulldog,” Bachicha said. “As coaches, we were disappointed that he took second. But he was just so happy and said, ‘Coach, you made my whole wrestling career.’ “That was something I’ll always remember.”

(Presenter- Steve Valdez)