WELCOME TO WALSENBURG AND THE PETE AND INA GOMEZ INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT
by David Tesitor
WALSENBURG —The eighth annual Pete and Ina Gomez wrestling tournament sponsored by the John Mall Panthers will bring in 18 teams December 21 from across the state to wrestle in the pre-Christmas event which was renamed after long time supporters of the sport, Pete and Ina Gomez. When the high school renamed the tournament in 2010 for the following season, it was the first sanctioned wrestling tournament in Colorado and perhaps one of few in the country to honor a husband and wife. Since the tournament first began in 1977, up to fifteen schools from across the state, including those from the 2-4A classes, have competed in the John Mall Tournament which was called the Walsenburg Invitational in its early years. Since then, dozens of schools, including the perennial standbys, have come to Walsenburg to compete in this popular tournament. This weekend will be no exception as eighteen teams will journey from as far away as Dove Creek, Dolores, and Gunnison as well as from the Front Range and San Luis Valley. Trinidad is also slated to attend. In conjunction with the varsity tournament, there will also be a junior varsity tournament next door at Peakview Gym.
Why Pete and Ina Gomez?
The tournament was renamed for this iconic pair who spent their lives in the sport. Pete Gomez is a quiet and unassuming man whose only concern is the development of the kids he has coached. Gomez served as RE-1 high school wrestling coach from 1973 through 1990 and as athletic director from 1985 through 2002 and 2006-07. During his time at Walsenburg High and John Mall, Gomez coached three State Champions, two State Runners-up and twelve State Placement winners. He also coached to victory one National Junior Greco Champion and one National Greco Runner-up Champion.
In 2006, Gomez was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame for his work as an official. He began officiating in 1975 and since then has traveled all over the world, officiating in Mexico, Canada, France, Finland, Sweden, the former Czechoslovakia and Australia. Gomez has officiated in final rounds in each foreign country he visited, including the Pan American Games in Mexico.
Ina Gomez, also a retired educator, taught over 30 years in the RE-1 school system before retiring. Ina is a Pairing Master for Olympic style wrestling and has held a US National license for 27 years and a FILA (international) license for 20 years. She is presently serving her second term on the Executive Board of the United States Wrestling Officials Association, a group of over 3000 members which includes both referees and pairers.
She has worked local, national and international events in over 30 states, including Hawaii. Being assigned as either the Head Pairer or only pairer at many tournaments has allowed Ina to take several Walsenburg girls to work these events. Ina has worked seven World Championships, two World Cups, six Pan American Championships, two Olympic Festivals, five Armed Forces Championships and 87 other international tournaments in France, Sweden, Finland, Canada, Mexico, and Australia as well as in the United States. She has presided over dual meets between the USA and teams from Poland, Cuba, Belarus, Russia, and Sweden. In addition, Ina has worked over 100 national tournaments as well as hundreds of local events.
Ina ran high school and junior high school collegiate tournaments and writes the championship award brackets at the CHSAA state tournament. She was voted the National Pairing Master of the Year in 2002, voted the National Dedicated Service to Pairing Award in 1989, and received a Regional Service to Wrestling Award in 1987.
