DENVER -- A church in Loveland hosted a silent auction Sunday to benefit two Berthoud High School wrestlers who lost both their legs as a result of a car crash on Jan. 15.

Mount Olive Lutheran Church said it wanted to raise money to help with the teens' medical costs. Tyler Carron and Nikko Landeros are both recovering at Denver Health Medical Center after their legs were amputated at their knees.

The teens were trying to change a flat tire on a dark rural road when a 17-year-old girl struck them, pinning them between the two vehicles, not far from their school.

The silent auction was scheduled Sunday from noon until 6 p.m.

There has been an outpouring of support from the community after the crash. Several fundraisers have been scheduled for the boys.

Carron was in fair condition Friday and Landeros was in serious condition with pneumonia.

On a brief DVD statement released Friday, Carron said Landeros was doing well and said both thanked everyone for their support. Their families said they were eager to return to school.

"We just want to thank everyone who's donated and everyone who has kept us in their thoughts and prayers. And we really appreciate it. And we'll be out of here soon," Carron said on the DVD, sitting in a wheelchair with his thighs wrapped.

Dr. Philip Stahel said he expected both boys to be walking on prostheses without crutches within a few months. Both teens have operations scheduled for the next week or so.

"It's uncanny to see how quickly these boys are bouncing back," said Carlton Hein of Mount Olive Lutheran Church. "I know that it's still a tough road but they've got an energy and a commitment to getting better and they're just great."

Carron and Landeros are both competitive wrestlers and doctors credit their quick recovery in part because they are in peak physical condition. Doctors said the teens will undergo rehabilitation together and that their competitive drive may help speed up the process.

Doctors said the support of their family and the community is crucial to their recovery.

Mount Olive Church is located at 3411 South Taft. For more information about the silent auction, call 970-669-7350.

Any items left over from the silent auction will be donated to Berthoud High School where, they too, will be holding an auction.

Additional Information:

A radio station out of Craig and Moffat County high school wrestlers are kicking off a fundraiser for Tyler and Nikko. They are encouraging all high school wrestling programs in Colorado to collect money at their meets and tournaments for the Berthoud teens. For more, go to BerthoudCares.com.
Money is also being collected for the "Tyler Carron and Nikko Landeros Fund" by Centennial Bank of the West. Donations may be deposited at any branch or mailed to Bank of the West, 1610 Hover St., Longmont, 80501. Deposits can also be made at the Berthoud branch located at 415 Mountain Ave. 80513.