{"id":29880,"date":"2025-10-12T17:30:16","date_gmt":"2025-10-12T17:30:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/?p=29880"},"modified":"2025-10-12T17:30:16","modified_gmt":"2025-10-12T17:30:16","slug":"high-school-wrestler-forfeits-state-tournament-ends-his-career-after-seeing-his-opponent-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/?p=29880","title":{"rendered":"High School Wrestler Forfeits State Tournament, Ends His Career After Seeing His Opponent"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em>Note: we are republishing this story which originally made the news in March 2019.<\/em><\/p><div class=\"owsxk69fed61648333\" ><div style=\"width:100%; max-width:1200px; margin:0 auto;\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/bolt-casino.com?r=0BFDBF1283\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n    <img \n      src=\"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/f8693ebb-2018-480f-a2f7-0096810c07f0.jpg\" \n      alt=\"200% Deposit Bonus + 10% Cashback\" \n      style=\"width:100%; height:auto; display:block; border-radius:8px; cursor:pointer;\"\n    \/>\n  <\/a>\n<\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">\r\n@media screen and (min-width: 1201px) {\r\n.owsxk69fed61648333 {\r\ndisplay: block;\r\n}\r\n}\r\n@media screen and (min-width: 993px) and (max-width: 1200px) {\r\n.owsxk69fed61648333 {\r\ndisplay: block;\r\n}\r\n}\r\n@media screen and (min-width: 769px) and (max-width: 992px) {\r\n.owsxk69fed61648333 {\r\ndisplay: block;\r\n}\r\n}\r\n@media screen and (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 768px) {\r\n.owsxk69fed61648333 {\r\ndisplay: block;\r\n}\r\n}\r\n@media screen and (max-width: 767px) {\r\n.owsxk69fed61648333 {\r\ndisplay: block;\r\n}\r\n}\r\n<\/style>\r\n\n<p>A Colorado high school wrestler made headlines when he decided to forfeit two state tournament matches against female opponents, citing his religious and personal beliefs as the primary reason for his decision.<\/p>\n<div class=\"m-detail--body-item m-detail--body-item-inline\">\n<figure class=\"l-inline tml-image m-detail--tml-image--inline\"><picture class=\"is-loaded\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.opposingviews.com\/.image\/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_380\/MjAxNTI1NDg4NzE0MjYyMDY5\/wrestler2.webp 380w, https:\/\/www.opposingviews.com\/.image\/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_620\/MjAxNTI1NDg4NzE0MjYyMDY5\/wrestler2.webp 620w, https:\/\/www.opposingviews.com\/.image\/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_700\/MjAxNTI1NDg4NzE0MjYyMDY5\/wrestler2.webp 700w\" type=\"image\/webp\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1240px) 700px, (min-width: 675px) 620px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.opposingviews.com\/.image\/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_380\/MjAxNTI1NDg4NzE0MjYyMDY5\/wrestler2.png 380w, https:\/\/www.opposingviews.com\/.image\/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_620\/MjAxNTI1NDg4NzE0MjYyMDY5\/wrestler2.png 620w, https:\/\/www.opposingviews.com\/.image\/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_700\/MjAxNTI1NDg4NzE0MjYyMDY5\/wrestler2.png 700w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1240px) 700px, (min-width: 675px) 620px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"m-detail--tml-image m-image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.opposingviews.com\/.image\/t_share\/MjAxNTI1NDg4NzE0MjYyMDY5\/wrestler2.png\" srcset=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" alt=\"Brendan Johnston speaking to the camera,\u00a0Photo Credit: Daily Mail\" width=\"1040\" height=\"674\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.opposingviews.com\/.image\/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_700\/MjAxNTI1NDg4NzE0MjYyMDY5\/wrestler2.png\" \/><\/picture>\n<div class=\"m-detail--tml-image-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"m-detail--tml-image-container\"><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption>\n<p class=\"tml-image--caption\">Brendan Johnston speaking to the camera,\u00a0<em>Photo Credit:\u00a0<\/em>Daily Mail<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-9\">\n<div id=\"tinyhouse-zone.com_responsive_2\" data-google-query-id=\"CJWa9fOWn5ADFU2c_Qcd75cjGQ\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/23201474937\/tinyhouse-zone.com\/tinyhouse-zone.com_responsive_2_0__container__\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Brendan Johnston, an 18-year-old senior from the Classical Academy in Colorado Springs, withdrew from his first-round match against Skyview High senior Jaslynn Gallegos during the recent state tournament. He then made a similar choice in his third-round consolation match against junior Angel Rios from Valley High, effectively concluding his high school wrestling career.<\/p>\n<p>Johnston, who identifies as a Christian, expressed his reservations about the physical nature of wrestling against female competitors. In an interview with KDVR, he stated, \u201cIt\u2019s so physical, physically close. I don\u2019t think that\u2019s really appropriate with a young lady. It\u2019s also very aggressive, and I\u2019m not really, I guess, comfortable with that.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"m-detail--body-item m-detail--body-item-inline\">\n<figure class=\"l-inline tml-image m-detail--tml-image--inline\"><picture class=\"is-loaded\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.opposingviews.com\/.image\/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_380\/MjAxNTI1NDg4NzE0MzI3NjA1\/wrestler3.webp 380w, https:\/\/www.opposingviews.com\/.image\/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_620\/MjAxNTI1NDg4NzE0MzI3NjA1\/wrestler3.webp 620w, https:\/\/www.opposingviews.com\/.image\/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_700\/MjAxNTI1NDg4NzE0MzI3NjA1\/wrestler3.webp 700w\" type=\"image\/webp\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1240px) 700px, (min-width: 675px) 620px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.opposingviews.com\/.image\/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_380\/MjAxNTI1NDg4NzE0MzI3NjA1\/wrestler3.png 380w, https:\/\/www.opposingviews.com\/.image\/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_620\/MjAxNTI1NDg4NzE0MzI3NjA1\/wrestler3.png 620w, https:\/\/www.opposingviews.com\/.image\/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_700\/MjAxNTI1NDg4NzE0MzI3NjA1\/wrestler3.png 700w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1240px) 700px, (min-width: 675px) 620px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"m-detail--tml-image m-image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.opposingviews.com\/.image\/t_share\/MjAxNTI1NDg4NzE0MzI3NjA1\/wrestler3.png\" srcset=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" alt=\"Action shot of\u00a0Brendan Johnston wrestling,\u00a0Photo Credit: Daily Mail\" width=\"1028\" height=\"670\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.opposingviews.com\/.image\/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_700\/MjAxNTI1NDg4NzE0MzI3NjA1\/wrestler3.png\" \/><\/picture>\n<div class=\"m-detail--tml-image-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"m-detail--tml-image-container\"><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption>\n<p class=\"tml-image--caption\"><em>Action shot of\u00a0<\/em>Brendan Johnston wrestling,\u00a0<em>Photo Credit:\u00a0<\/em>Daily Mail<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-10\">\n<div id=\"tinyhouse-zone.com_responsive_3\" data-google-query-id=\"CJGE9fOWn5ADFYOo_QcdD-QbVA\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/23201474937\/tinyhouse-zone.com\/tinyhouse-zone.com_responsive_3_0__container__\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>He clarified that his decision stemmed from a complex interplay of his faith, upbringing, and personal experiences. Brendan emphasized that he didn\u2019t perceive female wrestlers as unequal but rather recognized that men and women are inherently different and should be treated as such. He maintained that acknowledging these differences does not contradict the idea of equality between the sexes.<\/p>\n<p>Remarkably, Brendan had not faced a female opponent since he began wrestling in seventh grade, despite the fact that wrestling is not officially sanctioned as a sport in Colorado. He conveyed his reluctance to engage in the physical aggression associated with the sport when competing against a female, both on and off the mat. He was determined not to disrespect the dedication and effort female wrestlers put into their matches. Brendan stressed that wrestling was an activity they engaged in, not a definition of who they were. He added that other priorities in life held greater significance to him.<\/p>\n<div class=\"m-detail--body-item m-detail--body-item-inline\">\n<figure class=\"l-inline tml-image m-detail--tml-image--inline\"><picture class=\"is-loaded\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.opposingviews.com\/.image\/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_380\/MjAxNTI1NDg4NzE0MzI3Njcz\/wrestler4.webp 380w, https:\/\/www.opposingviews.com\/.image\/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_620\/MjAxNTI1NDg4NzE0MzI3Njcz\/wrestler4.webp 620w, https:\/\/www.opposingviews.com\/.image\/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_700\/MjAxNTI1NDg4NzE0MzI3Njcz\/wrestler4.webp 700w\" type=\"image\/webp\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1240px) 700px, (min-width: 675px) 620px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.opposingviews.com\/.image\/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_380\/MjAxNTI1NDg4NzE0MzI3Njcz\/wrestler4.png 380w, https:\/\/www.opposingviews.com\/.image\/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_620\/MjAxNTI1NDg4NzE0MzI3Njcz\/wrestler4.png 620w, https:\/\/www.opposingviews.com\/.image\/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_700\/MjAxNTI1NDg4NzE0MzI3Njcz\/wrestler4.png 700w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1240px) 700px, (min-width: 675px) 620px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"m-detail--tml-image m-image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.opposingviews.com\/.image\/t_share\/MjAxNTI1NDg4NzE0MzI3Njcz\/wrestler4.png\" srcset=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" alt=\"Skyview High senior Jaslynn Gallegos in team USA\u00a0Photo Credit: Daily Mail\" width=\"872\" height=\"674\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.opposingviews.com\/.image\/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_700\/MjAxNTI1NDg4NzE0MzI3Njcz\/wrestler4.png\" \/><\/picture>\n<div class=\"m-detail--tml-image-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"m-detail--tml-image-container\"><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption>\n<p class=\"tml-image--caption\">Skyview High senior Jaslynn Gallegos in team USA\u00a0<em>Photo Credit:\u00a0<\/em>Daily Mail<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Angel Rios and Jaslynn Gallegos, who secured fourth and fifth place respectively, made history as the first females to place at the tournament. Gallegos, who began wrestling at the age of five, expressed understanding and respect for Brendan\u2019s decision, emphasizing that she saw herself as a wrestler rather than a \u201cgirl wrestler.\u201d While she acknowledged that her gender could still be a limiting factor, she did not take offense to Brendan\u2019s choice.<\/p>\n<div class=\"m-detail--body-item m-detail--body-item-inline\">\n<figure class=\"l-inline tml-image m-detail--tml-image--inline\"><picture class=\"is-loaded\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.opposingviews.com\/.image\/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_380\/MjAxNTI1NDg4OTgyNjk3NTI1\/wrestler5.webp 380w, https:\/\/www.opposingviews.com\/.image\/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_620\/MjAxNTI1NDg4OTgyNjk3NTI1\/wrestler5.webp 620w, https:\/\/www.opposingviews.com\/.image\/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_700\/MjAxNTI1NDg4OTgyNjk3NTI1\/wrestler5.webp 700w\" type=\"image\/webp\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1240px) 700px, (min-width: 675px) 620px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.opposingviews.com\/.image\/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_380\/MjAxNTI1NDg4OTgyNjk3NTI1\/wrestler5.png 380w, https:\/\/www.opposingviews.com\/.image\/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_620\/MjAxNTI1NDg4OTgyNjk3NTI1\/wrestler5.png 620w, https:\/\/www.opposingviews.com\/.image\/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_700\/MjAxNTI1NDg4OTgyNjk3NTI1\/wrestler5.png 700w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1240px) 700px, (min-width: 675px) 620px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"m-detail--tml-image m-image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.opposingviews.com\/.image\/t_share\/MjAxNTI1NDg4OTgyNjk3NTI1\/wrestler5.png\" srcset=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" alt=\"Wrestling competitors lining up according to where they placed in tournament, Photo Credit:\u00a0Daily Mail\" width=\"1162\" height=\"648\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.opposingviews.com\/.image\/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_700\/MjAxNTI1NDg4OTgyNjk3NTI1\/wrestler5.png\" \/><\/picture>\n<div class=\"m-detail--tml-image-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"m-detail--tml-image-container\"><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption>\n<p class=\"tml-image--caption\">Wrestling competitors lining up according to where they placed in tournament, Photo Credit:\u00a0Daily Mail<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>The incident has sparked discussions about the intersection of sports, gender, and individual beliefs. As this conversation continues, it is important to find ways to respect personal choices while addressing gender-related challenges in the realm of sports.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Note: we are republishing this story which originally made the news in March 2019. A Colorado high school wrestler made headlines when he decided to forfeit two state tournament matches against female opponents, citing his religious and personal beliefs as the primary reason for his decision. Brendan Johnston speaking to the camera,\u00a0Photo Credit:\u00a0Daily Mail Brendan&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":29881,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"default","_kad_post_title":"default","_kad_post_layout":"default","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"default","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"default","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[19,17,11,20,24,15,12,25,22,18,16,21,14,23,13],"class_list":["post-29880","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-chronic-diseases","tag-fitness","tag-health-tips","tag-healthcare-technology","tag-healthy-lifestyle","tag-healthy-living","tag-medical-advice","tag-medical-awareness","tag-medical-research","tag-mental-health","tag-nutrition","tag-patient-care","tag-preventive-care","tag-public-health","tag-wellness"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>High School Wrestler Forfeits State Tournament, Ends His Career After Seeing His Opponent - VM News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/?p=29880\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"High School Wrestler Forfeits State Tournament, Ends His Career After Seeing His Opponent - VM News\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Note: we are republishing this story which originally made the news in March 2019. A Colorado high school wrestler made headlines when he decided to forfeit two state tournament matches against female opponents, citing his religious and personal beliefs as the primary reason for his decision. 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A Colorado high school wrestler made headlines when he decided to forfeit two state tournament matches against female opponents, citing his religious and personal beliefs as the primary reason for his decision. Brendan Johnston speaking to the camera,\u00a0Photo Credit:\u00a0Daily Mail Brendan...","og_url":"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/?p=29880","og_site_name":"VM News","article_published_time":"2025-10-12T17:30:16+00:00","og_image":[{"width":760,"height":880,"url":"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/561339310_1110454417911262_8121345838618018628_n-1.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"vmfavorite","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"vmfavorite","Est. reading time":"2 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/?p=29880#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/?p=29880"},"author":{"name":"vmfavorite","@id":"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/#\/schema\/person\/a2e30a4c480fba08110aa92dceebedad"},"headline":"High School Wrestler Forfeits State Tournament, Ends His Career After Seeing His Opponent","datePublished":"2025-10-12T17:30:16+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/?p=29880"},"wordCount":486,"commentCount":0,"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/?p=29880#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/561339310_1110454417911262_8121345838618018628_n-1.jpg","keywords":["Chronic Diseases","Fitness","Health Tips","Healthcare Technology","Healthy Lifestyle","Healthy Living","Medical Advice","Medical Awareness","Medical Research","Mental Health","Nutrition","Patient Care","Preventive Care","Public Health","Wellness"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/news-vm.com\/?p=29880#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/?p=29880","url":"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/?p=29880","name":"High School Wrestler Forfeits State Tournament, Ends His Career After Seeing His Opponent - 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