Not many people can whip a Pepsi Center crowd into a frenzy with their mere presence.
Tyler Carron and Nikko Landeros did Thursday night with just two smiles, which were the reminders of two miracles.
The Berthoud High School wrestlers, who lost both their legs after a frighteningly bizarre car accident Jan. 15, were honored midway through the 72nd annual state wrestling tournament.
Joining their friends and teammates on this night was one of things Carron and Landeros said motivated them the past month, especially since doctors initially told them they might not leave the hospital for six weeks.
“Our goal was to make it to state,” Carron said.
A sea of wrestlers cleared the 10 mats and thousands of fans broke out in applause as Carron and Landeros were wheeled out by teammates Nicholas Reinhard and Spenser Sadlo, who arrived about a minute after their friends had been struck by a car while preparing to fix a flat tire.
Wearing maroon T-shirts with the words “Champions for Life” underneath a portrait of the boys, a large contingent of Berthoud fans and family members snapped pictures and wiped away tears.
One woman in the group yelled “Hey, you two heroes over there!” – an observation that had multiple applications.
“They saved our life,” Landeros said afterward of his friends and members of the Berthoud Fire Protection District who also arrived on scene.
Reinhard and Sadlo were awarded the Bill Daniels Neighborhood Hero Award for their actions, which Reinhard called a display of “natural instincts” born of love.
The Daniels Fund also pledged $20,000 to support Carron’s and Landeros’ road to recovery.
Brian Oppenheimer was one of several Berthoud firefighters on the scene that night and also was honored. Although not permitted to speak of any details relating to the crash, Oppen- heimer said it has left a strong emotional impact.
“It’s part of your job, but I’m still trying to figure it out,” he said. “I think it’s a tragedy that it happened, especially so young. It’s a life-altering moment for them. I feel bad for them, but it sounds like they’re doing good.”
After the small ceremony Thursday, Sadlo rejoined his teammates to prepare for his 140-pound match against Alamosa’s Ron Singer. Sadlo, who didn’t want to talk afterward, took down Singer in the first 12 seconds and eventually pinned his opponent.
“That’s what this whole tournament is about right now,” said Nick Ludwig, Berthoud’s 125-pound junior, after defeating his first-round opponent. “Everything is for Tyler and Nikko and everything in my head.”
