If Ayden Mathews ever seemed fazed by the moment of competing on the state’s highest level, you’d never be able to tell.
Looking to put a stamp on an impressive four years, Mathews walks with the cadence and confidence of a student-athlete years beyond his age.
With visions of a third state tournament wrestling tournament, to go along with three seasons as starting quarterback of one of the state’s premier small-school programs, Mathews’ athletic career will rank among the best to grace the hallways.
Yet, for all the moments where his arm was held up in the center of the mat after a victory, or for all the times when his football team marched down the field for a score, perhaps nothing sets Mathews apart like his humility and grace, both on the mat and in the classroom.
Mathews joins classmate Isaiah Martinez as the Class of ’23 leaders for a loaded Mancos wrestling squad, geared up to make their presence felt at the 2A Region 2 tournament in Hayden on Feb. 10.
Under first-year head coach Ty Penning, taking the reins from Cole Allison, the program has continued to grow, emerging as a top 10 team in the 2A ranks a couple seasons ago, and climbing steadily since then. The Bluejays enter the postseason as the No. 4 team in the state, according to Tim Yount’s On the Mat rankings, with plenty of big team and individual ambitions for the Ball Arena floor in Denver over the weekend of Feb. 16-18.
“This all started when we were peewees,” said Mathews, “and this group of guys have stuck with it – we’ve had some good coaching – and it’s all led us here.”
Mathews qualified his freshman year, but didn’t make the podium – then had to wait until his junior season before he landed another opportunity. In the 160-pound division, Mathews dropped his opening match against eventual state champion Hayden Burr of Sedgwick County, but rallied over the rest of the weekend to claim fourth place overall.
“The first time there (at the state championships), you can get dazed, but after having been there before, I view it just like any other tournament,” Mathews said.
For Mathews and Martinez, family influence serves as source of support through their athletic endeavors.
Alan Mathews, Ayden’s father, has been a fixture on the sideline during Ayden’s development, calling the offensive plays for the Bluejays football team while serving as assistant coach for the wrestling team.
“He’s been there with continuous love and support through it all,” said Mathews, “and I’m so glad he’s been in my corner during my journey.”
Perhaps one day he’ll wear a headset on the sidelines like his father, as Mathews spends part of his free time giving back to coach at the youth levels.
Were it not for his family’s tradition in wrestling, Martinez may have never set foot on the mat.
“It’s always been something that we’ve done in our family,” said Martinez, “and that’s been one of the big things that’s pushed me.”
It took him all the way to the state championships in his first year as a high school wrestler. Martinez posted his first win on the stage in the process as a junior, gaining valuable experience during his maiden state appearance.
“His work ethic is one of the best I’ve ever seen,” said Mathews of Martinez. Just two years in the sport for the blue-and-white, Martinez carries himself on the mat with all the skill of a savvy veteran.
Martinez’ three-sport talent – with his primary passion coming in the spring when he’ll suit up as a utility player for the M-CHS baseball team – keeps him constantly moving, but he wouldn’t have it any other way. “I can’t stand sitting at home doing nothing, so as soon as one season ends, I’m ready to get going with the next one.”
“It’s good to have that maturity in the wrestling room,” lauded head coach Ty Penning of his senior leadership, “we never have to tell these guys to ‘work harder’ – they always come in and give everything you could ask for.”
Both Martinez and Mathews will end the season with more than 30 wins in 2022-23, joining several of their teammates with that accomplishment.
Penning credits his team’s physical preparedness as the Jays dive into their biggest matches of the season.
“This group has some of the best conditioning of any team that I’ve been around, which helps as we go into the deeper waters at this point in the season – we’re able to hold our breath.”
The discipline with maintaining a high level of fitness falls in line with the overall vision for the senior duo beyond the hallways of MHS.
Mathews’ post-graduation plans includes a variety of options, including the possibility of joining the United States Army at West Point. Martinez has his visions of college as well following graduation this May, aiming to attend Fort Lewis College.
In the meantime, the camaraderie of a strong program with talent up and down the weight classes – it’s all played into the enjoyment of another fantastic season for the Jays. “Just hanging with these guys, being a part of this – it makes the tough parts of the sport worthwhile,” added Martinez.
While the win-loss records for both Mathews and Martinez have been impressive, they recognize that their success is part of something much larger.
Mathews holds a firm big-picture perspective on his athletic achievements.
“No one is going to remember these medals, but people may remember ways that I was able to contribute to my community – and the way I held myself for my team.”
