Coming off a poor showing in Pagosa Springs on Jan. 17, the Mancos High School wrestling team returned to action last week and looked much improved.
Competing against Newcomb in Dolores on Jan. 20, the Bluejays kept things close in almost every match, but lost 25-12.
In the 113-pound match, Mancos senior Rudy Archuleta pinned Kristin Yazzie and in the 132-pound match, Mancos junior Kaleb Hargraves pinned Tyler Howe.
Junior Andrew Morgan and sophomore Bowen Strazza-Whalen were pinned, at 145 pounds and 152 pounds, respectively. And 170-pound sophomore Austin Howerton and 126-pound sophomore Hunter Kocourek suffered decision losses.
"It was good to see us improve coming off the Pagosa Tournament," said Hobbs. "(Newcomb) was a good team to dual for us because we matched up at every weight. They ended up beating us, but we're not built to win duals yet."
Following up its loss to Newcomb, Mancos travelled to Aztec on Jan. 24 to take part in the High Country Chevrolet Duals. Because Mancos took only five wrestlers to the tournament, the Bluejays did not compete as a team.
Archuleta finished the day with a 3-1 record and Morgan finished the day 3-2. Hobbs said that he was impressed with the performances of both of his upperclassmen.
"Rudy wrestled fairly decent," said Hobbs. "When his confidence is there, he does fairly well. Andrew had a solid weekend. It was probably the best performance I've seen out of Drew."
Hargraves finished the tournament 2-3, Howerton finished the tournament 1-3 and Strazza-Whalen finished 0-4.
"(Hargraves) had a slow start to the season, but he's really coming along now," said Hobbs. "We keep improving and it was nice to see some of the kids wrestle with confidence."
Next up for Mancos will be Butch Melton Invitational, which will be held in Ignacio on Jan. 31.
Mancos will then host the San Juan Basin League duals on Feb. 5. Hobbs said that he is hopeful that community members will come out and support the team.
"Trying to bring wrestling back into our community is a huge thing," said Hobbs. "I hope everybody comes out and shows their support for the program and the kids."
