Nikko Landeros and Tyler Carron had planned on competing Thursday on the mats at the Pepsi Center during the Class 4A high school wrestling tournament.

They made it to the tournament, but not quite the way they planned.

"Wrestlers clear the mats," the announcer said as dozens of high school athletes quit their stretching exercises.

As the last wrestler left, two Berthoud High School classmates brought Landeros and Carron out to the arena floor in their wheelchairs. The 17-year- old wrestlers grinned as a crowd of several thousand people stood and gave them a prolonged ovation.

"We didn't cry or anything, but it was a big thing for us, everybody applauding for just two kids," Landeros said later. "We've been through a lot, but I don't think we'd imagine this. It's a big thing."

The two youngsters' hopes of competing were dashed by a Jan. 15 traffic accident that resulted in their legs being amputated below the knees.

In a brief ceremony, the Daniels Fund announced a $20,000 contribution toward the Berthoud Cares fund that has been set up to assist the two teens in their recovery.

Daniels Fund officials also presented two $500 Neighborhood Hero checks to Nicholas Reinhard and Spenser Sadlo, the two classmates who came to their friends' aid immediately after the accident.

Carron and Landeros said they would not have survived without their help and the aid of the firefighters who followed them.

"They pretty much saved us," Carron said.

"They're our best friends," Landeros said. "That's who we hang out with. We thank them every day. They show us a lot of support. That's how we've gotten through a lot of this stuff."

Members of Carron's family talked about how much it meant to both youngsters to be at the tournament, along with the two friends who helped save them.

"It's emotional for us, but we're very proud of them," said Lori Moriarity, Tyler's aunt. "This is where they smile. They smiled last weekend at the regional tournament. I'm glad they're alive so they can come here and watch their friends."

She added: "They are the most brave and courageous boys I have ever met."

Tyler's mother, Cherie Carron, said it was an important night for her son.

"He was very overwhelmed," she said. "We knew they were going to get this. . . . He was excited but he still wanted to compete. But that's OK, we have our son."

Said Carron: "I wish I was wrestling too. I'm just glad I'm here and not in the hospital."

Landeros and Carron were leaving a dance on Jan. 15 when they stopped to fix a flat tire. A car driven by classmate Michelle Berra, 17, slammed into them and pinned their legs.

The accident remains under investigation.

A spokeswoman for the Larimer County District Attorney's office said prosecutors are waiting for more investigative reports before deciding whether to file any charges.

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