Dad, son take farewell tour together

Ponderosa's Ottmanns hope saga ends in titles

By Scott Stocker, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published November 28, 2007 at 12:45 a.m.

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Photo by Barry Gutierrez / The Rocky

Ponderosa wrestling coach and athletic director Tim Ottmann and his son, Jake, are nearing the end of a journey that began when Jake was 4 and he would wrestle with his coaching legend dad, who has led the Mustangs to seven state titles.

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Ponderosa wrestling coach Tim Ottmann and his son, Jake, are looking forward to "graduating" together at the end of the season.

Ottmann, who began his coaching career in El Paso, Texas, announced he will retire as head wrestling coach after 18 years with the Mustangs and his 25th overall. But he will retain his position as the school's athletic director.

Also entering his final season will be Jake, the Class 5A state runner-up last season at 215 pounds.

"I look at this as we are both seniors," Ottmann, 47, said with a chuckle. "I was a head coach at 22 years old in Texas and it was a great experience. It has been awesome here, too, but it feels like the right time to go. And, having my last year with Jake makes it all the better."

Ponderosa begins the season ranked No. 1, and the Mustangs will be going for their eighth state title under Ottmann. They also have finished second twice. This season would be all the better for Ottmann if his son wins, too.

Jake Ottmann lost to Grand Junction's Robert Tucker 7-2 in their 215-pound final to finish the season with a 34-7 record. He, too, is looking forward to the final hurrah with his dad.

"It has always been good wrestling with Dad since I was 4 years old," said Jake, who wrestled as a light heavyweight his sophomore season. "He has never put that much pressure on me. He knows how to be a dad and when to be a coach. The state final was intense.

"There was an adrenaline rush, but at the same time a real sense of pride to be out there," Ottmann said. "It was not just for me, but for Dad and the team. Win or lose, he has been there for me."

Ottmann believes his son has improved greatly, and for Jake to make the final in his first trip to state was something he always will cherish.

"Obviously, he was nervous with me in the corner," Ottmann said. "This year, he is more ready and has that good year under his belt. That will always be one of my most memorable moments. But also seeing how the program has grown at Ponderosa has been wonderful and very satisfying."

Jake Ottmann said he knows his dad will miss being at the side of the mat and in the wrestling room.

"It's hard for him, because I know the guys are going to miss him," said Jake, who also sees himself as a teacher and coach. "We want to go out with a bang if we can, and I think that will make me work 15 million times harder. We are seniors together and will leave Ponderosa wrestling with awesome memories."

For the elder Ottmann, he already knows how he is going to spend his free time.

"We also have a 6-year-old daughter, Karli, who likes to dance," Ottmann said. "So I guess I'll be switching from wrestling to dancing shows. The pace has been difficult for me to keep, and I am a little tired."

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