PUEBLO PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT 70
Terry Kraus
Greenhorn Valley View
“I’ve been in the building since July 25th,” shared new Rye High School Athletic Director and Assistant Principal Matt Addington. “I’ve gotten my bearings, am learning to know the staff, and am figuring out where I can fit best and help out.” Addington is no stranger to the Rye/Colorado City area. He grew up in Florence and attended and graduated high school there. He graduated from CSUPueblo, and spent five years teaching social studies and special education before a one-year stint at his alma mater as the AD and VP. “I jumped at the chance to come to Rye,” he shared in our Monday morning interview. “I wanted to live in a smaller community where I could raise my children, maybe own some land and become part of the community. But most of all, I really like the people here.” The name Matt Addington was not unfamiliar to me. I remembered him from the years I coached wrestling at Rye High School. Addington was a three-time state high school wrestling champion for the Florence Huskies. He has been on a wrestling mat since the age of four.
During high school he completed a three-year string of 136 victories without a loss with a 16-6 victory in the 160 lb. finals over Caleb Wyatt of Hotchkiss.
From there he wrestled at CSU-Pueblo. In college he won 40 matches and lost 36 matches. He qualified for nationals.
“Academically, I have several goals,” he stated. “We graduated 100% last year so we have a great foundation. I want to be heavily involved in continuing the academic excellence RHS is known for.”
“In the sports arena, I want to build the wrestling program,” he mentioned. “Our wrestlers never get to wrestle at home. I want to schedule some duals and perhaps a tournament. I also would like to revive the cheer program and if we can’t get it going this year, then next year.
Wife Marina is a registered labor and delivery nurse at Parkview. They have a son, Gable (named for the great wrestler Dan Gable), age four, and a daughter, age two, named Amelia. “We have a house full of toddlers,” declared Addington.
Matt and Marina live in Pueblo but are looking for an opportunity to move to the valley. They enjoy fishing and movies in their free time. Addington also gets up at 3:00 a.m. to workout before the day begins.
“I’m very competitive and a little bit of a fitness freak,” he shares. “Bottom line, I’m excited to be a part of this community. And I’m excited to see where we can take the athletic program. I guess I’m just excited for the entire opportunity.”