Back after a long absence, the once-powerful Mancos High School wrestling program is ready to rise again.
Leading the Bluejays will be first-year head coach Grant Hobbs, a standout at Dove Creek High School, who captured individual state titles in 2006 and 2007.
Hobbs knows the Bluejays may not win every match, but he's confident he'll get the best out of his wrestlers.
"My coaching style is very involved," he said, adding, "I guarantee that we're all going to be in shape and mentally ready to compete."
Figuring to lead the way is sophomore Andrew Morgan, a talented athlete who hopes to make up for his inexperience by utilizing his strength and speed.
"I think we should be pretty good," Morgan said. "It's going to be kind of rough at the start because we're not very experienced."
Also figuring to contribute will be senior Magellen Leyva, a strong individual who is wrestling for the first time this season.
"I like wrestling," said Leyva. "We've got a good coach. My goal is to lose a lot of weight and hopefully make it to regionals."
Other Mancos wrestlers looking to turn in successful seasons are junior Rudy Archuleta, sophomore Everett Strazza-Whalen and sophomore Austin Howerton.
Three freshmen, Andre Payne, Bowen Strazza-Whalen and Hunter Kocourek also will compete.
"We just want to be competitive," Hobbs said. "By the end of the year, we will see huge progress in these guys, I can almost guarantee that."
Hobbs also is intent on teaching life lessons that will serve them well through high school and beyond.
"Most importantly, I want to show them how they can be the best people they can be, not only in a sport, but as young adults growing up," he said.
Those interested in catching the Bluejays may attend the Aztec Round Robin in Aztec on Dec. 7 or the Dove Creek Tournament in Dove Creek on Dec. 14.
The Bluejays also will be in Cortez for a scrimmage against Cortez and Dolores on Dec. 17.
