Entering the third year of the revived wrestling program, Mancos head coach Grant Hobbs is seeing growth.
The Blue Jays had one state qualifier in Rudy Archuleta during the 2013-2014 season, but last year, they failed to get any competitors past regionals.
“It was year two, after our first year we had a state qualifier and then our second year we didn’t,” Hobbs said. “So I think it just opened the kids eyes again.”
Hobbs explained how the wrestlers and coaches are both working to improve and get back to the state tournament in Denver.
He said that the wrestlers and coaches are putting in time during the offseason, and that after attending a coaching camp at Oklahoma State University, that he has changed the team’s practice routines.
The Blue Jays have 13 wrestlers out this season, including a handful of returners and wrestlers that have been in the program since it returned three years ago.
Hobbs noted Drew Morgan and Richard Martinez as two of the team’s key returners.
“Drew has put in a lot of time over the summer,” he said. “And Richard has that experience and has put in time too.”
Martinez previously qualified for the state tournament when wrestling at Dolores.
With experienced returners and a growing program, Hobbs smiled when laying out the team’s goals for this season.
“For one, we want to be competitive for our league,” he said. “But most importantly, we want to punch a few tickets to the state tournament.”