Barron, HOF Colorado prep wrestling coach, dies at the age of 70

Ray Barron, a longtime Colorado prep wrestling coach and member of the National Wrestling and National High School Athletic Coaches Association halls of fame, died Monday morning, according to CHSAANOW.COM. He was70.

Barron, who was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer on Jan. 17, retired in February at the end of the Colorado high school state wrestling tournament after 47 years as a coach. He spent time at the helm of Fort Lupton, Heritage and Columbine during his tenure.

“I’m proud of being around kids and giving some kids a reason to do things,” he told The Denver Post in 2015. “I worked hard for the sport I loved.”

He finished his career being named CHSAA’S Class 5A coach of the year after both of his wrestlers who qualified for state from Columbine won individual titles.