Bears freshman up for Sports Illustrated Athlete of the Year nomination for second straight year
DOLORES – Well over a year has passed since Dolores wrestler Ian Wise learned of his father’s cancer diagnosis – and the DHS wrestler’s advocacy campaign only continues to grow.
The journey has taken Wise all over the Rocky Mountain region – where Wise has picked up plenty of victories on the mat – but his biggest win by far stems from the increased awareness that he’s generated for testicular cancer advocacy. Wise’s relentless drive to spread his family’s story prompted a nomination for the Sports Illustrated Athlete of the Year award for the second straight year.
In the summer of 2025, Ian’s father Chris was surprised to learn of his diagnosis after a routine physical – galvanizing the family around his treatment and recovery – and Ian took the journey a step further. Wise began talking with coaches, other athletes, medical professionals, and community members about the importance of routine checkups.
Wise has set up booths at community events, including his hometown Dolores Farmers Market, while also distributing T-shirts and flyers to advocate for cancer awareness – all pieces that he’s funded through selling homemade tamales. He’s also made a circuit to area camps where he’s spoken to campers and coaches alike to continue the conversation.
On the mat, Wise enters his freshman season for the Dolores Bears under second-year head coach Ben Doss, for whom Wise has wrestled since his pee-wee days. Wise enjoyed a stellar 38-9 record over the past year, highlighted by the Aztec Warrior Tournament in which he, his father, and his brother Jaxson all took third place this past spring.
Wise recently added jiujitsu to his repertoire, while also working with the Mancos wrestling coaches on freestyle wrestling during the summer as he looks to be an immediate force for the Bears when the high school season kicks off in November.
Wise is in the second round of the SI Athlete of the Year selection process, where a community voting process narrows down the nominees to determine the winner of the $25,000 prize. Community members wanting to support Wise’s next steps in the voting process can have their voice heard at: https://athleteoftheyear.org/2026/ian-09fa.
