Dino Aragon retiring after more than 40 years of dedication to Pueblo wrestling

For the last 40-plus years, Dino Aragon has dedicated his time and energy to the world of wrestling in Pueblo and southern Colorado. This past championship season was Aragon's last, as he recently announced his retirement from the sport.

Even though Aragon is retiring, he'll likely stay involved in the local wrestling scene. His son, Dino Jr., is the head wrestling coach at Pueblo Centennial High School, and he has several grandchildren involved in the sport. His wife and daughter also run the TrackWrestling website for various tournaments across the state.

“I have always loved wrestling,” Aragon said. “I know that I will continue to be part of the wrestling world forever.”

Growing up in Pueblo shaped Aragon's love for wrestling. In his youth, he encountered several people who helped influence and mold his life into what it is today.

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“I was coached by Jack Scammahorn, Sam Cortese, Don Cornett and Fred Rodriguez at Central High School,” Aragon said. “I was the first four-year letterman in wrestling at Central High School. In 1974, my freshman year, there were 105 wrestlers who came out for the wrestling team.

"I was a two-time district champ in my junior and senior years. I placed fourth at state my junior year, and I went on to wrestle for four years at Adams State College in Alamosa.”

Aragon's accomplishments on the mat in high school and college were far from his only contributions to the sport of wrestling in Pueblo. After his days of competing were over, he transitioned into coaching, starting off with the POWA wrestling club.

“I started off as a coach for the POWA wrestling club, which I coached for 27 years,” Aragon said. “Later, Bobby Martinez and Jerry Sisneros gave me the opportunity to further my coaching experience as the freshman wrestling coach at South High School. This helped me with the skills to become the head wrestling coach for Fowler High School.”

Eventually, Aragon's connection to the sport led him into the world of refereeing.

“I officiated with Pete Gomez, who guided me in the freestyle and Greco wrestling world,” Aragon said. “Art Martinez, who took me under his wing, helped me develop my officiating skills."

Aragon officiated for the Colorado Wrestling Officials Association for 43 years and served as referee for 39 district or regional tournaments, as well as 22 Colorado state high school championships. He also was the head official for the Rocky Mountain Nationals for 10 years.

He began wrestling in junior high when he followed his brother Angelo into the sport and has been firmly involved in wrestling ever since.

And while his love of the sport began all those years ago, it still continues to grow to this day.

“The love has come from my wrestling history, success, and my family support," he said. “I would like to especially thank my wife, Anna, for her support and help, and my mom and dad for always being there for me.”

Despite his retirement, the Aragon family's involvement in Pueblo wrestling isn't going anywhere.

“My family — I am sure they will continue making wrestling history," Aragon said.

With a decades-long career full of outstanding moments, a few stand out in Aragon's memories, such as "being inducted into the Pueblo Greater Sports Hall of Fame in 2019, being part of the largest graduating class of Pueblo history in 1977, 625-plus students," and being "voted by the Central student body as 'Mr. C' at Central High School."

He's also proud he was elected president of his class during his sophomore and junior years, and vice president his senior year.

"These are some of my fondest moments growing up in wrestling and in Pueblo," he said.

Aragon said he's also immensely proud of the connections he's made with those in the wrestling community along the way.

“I feel I have touched the lives of many people in wrestling, just as they have touched my life,” he said. “I am proud to say I have given back to the wrestling community, what they have given me, and I will continue to give back.

"I would like to thank everyone for their kind words and good wishes, and for letting me be part of their wrestling life.”

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Christopher Abdelmalek is a sports reporter for the Pueblo Chieftain and can be reached at cabdelmalek@gannett.com or on Twitter @chowebacca

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Dino Aragon retires after over 30 years of service in Pueblo wrestling