After suffering numerous losses, members of the Mancos High School wrestling team are frustrated and eager to improve.
Opening its post-Christmas break schedule in Pagosa Springs at the Rocky Mountain Invitational on Jan. 10, the Bluejays failed to win a live match. Head coach Grant Hobbs said that his team failed to wrestle to its potential.
"We didn't have a very good weekend in Pagosa," Hobbs said. "It was probably the worst I've seen my kids wrestle. We hit rock bottom, and there's only up from here."
Returning to action with a dual against Igancio in Cortez on Jan. 12, the Bluejays performed better, but lost 48-18.
Rudy Archuleta, Kaleb Hargraves and Andrew Morgan won matches for Mancos.
Next matching up against Montezuma-Cortez in Cortez on Jan. 12, Mancos struggled start to finish, losing 54-0. Throughout his team's matches and shortly after them, Hobbs expressed his frustration.
"We showed up more against Ignacio than we did against Cortez," said Hobbs. "It's never nice to come into a dual and not win a match. I'm not proud of that."
Despite the Bluejays' struggles, Hobbs emphasized that his team is working hard to improve. The second-year coach said that he expects his team to peak at the right time.
"There are always ups and downs," Hobbs said. I feel like my kids are improving. The team is working hard, and I expect us to peak at regionals and state."
