The Mancos wrestling team kicked off its 2016-17 season on Wednesday under new head coach Travis White.
White, who served as an assistant under former head coach Grant Hobbs for three seasons before taking the lead, and the Blue Jays started the year on the road in a quad meet at Whitehorse High School.
Returning senior Richard Martinez opened his campaign by pinning opponents from Whitehorse, Monument Valley and Red Mesa to start the year 3-0 in the 126-pound weight class.
And after qualifying for the state tournament last year, White and assistant coach Jason Silva expect Martinez to wind up at the Pepsi Center again this February.
“Richard has a great future ahead of him and we’re really looking forward to what he can do,” said White. “I expect to see him on the state podium this year, if not a state champion. It’s all depending on how hard he’s going to work this year. The only one who is going to stop him is going to be himself. He’s really that tough of a kid.”
Juniors Kaleb Hargraves and Cameron Fury also return for the Jays. And on Wednesday, Hargraves went 3-0 with three pins at 160 pounds, while Fury was 2-1 in the 182-pound division.
Freshman Andrew Ruatti was 0-3 at 132 pounds, and then senior Julian Leyva went 2-1 at 195 pounds in his first season to round out the squad.
“Julian Leyva has been really impressive,” said White. “He’s a big strong kid and he’s got a great opportunity also. As soon as he starts learning some more things, we’re really looking forward to what he can do.”
The Jays had just five competitors for their opening meet due to a few lingering injuries.
But White expects sophomore Casey Orange to be ready for action in the next week and hopes freshman Breccen Morelli and sophomore Gus Leyva can return after Christmas break.
With a thin roster, the Jays won’t score well as a team. But that won’t hinder their individual goals.
“We might be missing that team aspect, as far as fighting for a team state title,” said White. “But individually we’re looking to try and get as many kids there as we can. And I can honestly see, I’m hoping for three or four kids this year to be at that state tournament.”