Boulder Bandits is a youth wrestling club dedicated to the betterment of Boulder’s youth through wrestling. Wrestling builds strength, fosters self-confidence, and builds character. Wrestling is the world’s oldest and greatest sport!

Aaron Pomeroy From 1991-96 Aaron wrestled for Canada’s Brock University where he captured five Ontario University titles and four Canadian University titles at 76 kg earning him five provincial First Team All-Stars and four First Team All-Canadian selections. He was a three-time Wrestling Team MVP (1992-93, 1993-94, 1994-95) and was named Brock University Male Athlete of the Year in 1995-96. Pomeroy was a member of three, and team captain of two, Ontario and Canadian University Championship teams (1991-92, 1994-95 (captain), 1995-96 (captain)). In 1995-96, Pomeroy was the province of Ontario’s nominee for the “Howard Mackie Award”, a Canadian university award that goes to the Canadian varsity Male Athlete of the Year. He was also on the Canadian National Team for several years representing Canada in international competitions around the world, including the Junior World Championships in Istanbul Turkey where he finished in 8th place.

Vass Eliopoulos started wrestling in summer camp as a kid and was hooked. He captained his high school wrestling team in Connecticut at the Brunswick School where he was a multiple time Prep State Championship placeholder – winning the Prep State Championship his Junior year. Coach Vass wrestled for Trinity College (NCAA Div III) where he was a multiple time New England Championship Qualifier and was elected Team Captain his Junior and Senior Years.  After college coach Vass worked abroad where he ended up on the coaching staff of the Solomon Island National Wrestling Team.  He had athletes place in the 1999 Oceania Freestyle Championships and qualify for and compete in the 1999 FILA 5 Continents Cup in Sydney, Australia (one of the Pre-Tournaments for the Sydney 2000 Olympics).  After returning home Vass continued to wrestle with the New York Athletic Club team and competed in USA Wrestling freestyle events while he attended Cornell University Medical College, where he received his Medical Doctorate. Coach Vass still wrestles recreationally and also now trains and competes in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Coach Vass has won 2 IBJJF Masters World Titles one in 2015 and another in 2017.

Forrest Reynolds has been involved with the Bandits since he wandered onto the mat, shoeless and clueless, to supervise his six-year-old son in 2016. With a background in exercise physiology and education, herding small wrestlers through a practice was familiar territory and, before long, found he had become a coach. An appreciation of the camaraderie and character-building virtues of the sport keeps him, and his son, returning to the mats year after year.

Dave Sloan wrestled for three seasons at Alan C. Pope High School outside of Atlanta, Georgia. He was assistant coach for the Mancos High School wrestling team in Southwest Colorado for their inaugural wrestling season and continued on as head coach for the K-8 program for a season. Coach Sloan has been an assistant wrestling coach with the Boulder Bandits since 2019.

The Boulder Bandits team is fortunate to have the support of our two local high school wrestling coaches.

Boulder High Coach – Will LeBoeuf, is an Ohio-raised wrestler, dedicated coach, and fitness professional. As a high school athlete, he won over 100 matches and made it to the State Tournament both junior and senior year. Will joined Boulder High’s coaching staff as a Assistant Coach in 2016. Now as Head Coach, Will is proud to carry forward former Head Coach, Gil Espinoza’s foundational team philosophy that “Courtesy, Dignity, and Respect” toward all, brings honor to one’s self.

Fairview High Coach – Jim Opperman is in his 45th year coaching wrestling. Jim is a retired former teacher and athletic director.

The Boulder Bandits welcome parents to obtain a USA Wrestling coaching certification and help volunteer with the club. All of our coaches and managers are volunteers. Regardless of wrestling experience, we encourage parents to work with our coaches and become part of the Boulder Bandits Wrestling family. If you’re interested in helping feel free to contact us below or talk to one of our coaches before or after practice!