"We doubled in numbers," said second-year head coach Grant Hobbs. "We have 13 kids out for the team this year. I'm hoping we can get four kids to the state tournament."
Leading the way for the Bluejays will be senior Rudy Archuleta, who qualified for the state tournament at 113 pounds last season. Hobbs said that Archuleta will start this season in the 120-pound division and possibly cut to 113 pounds by the season's end.
"I have high hopes for Rudy after last year," Hobbs said. "I'm hoping we can get him on the podium at the state tournament this year."
"My goal is to go to state and be a placer at state," said Archuleta. "I'm better conditioned than last year."
Also figuring to make an impact for Mancos will be junior Andrew Morgan, who start the season at 152 pounds and eventually cut to 145 pounds. Hobbs believes that the junior could make state this year.
"(Morgan) has an amazing work ethic," said Hobbs. "We're looking for him to get up the Pepsi Center."
Other Mancos wrestlers hoping capable of excelling this season include sophomore Bowen Strazza-Whalen, junior Austin Howerton, junior Dave Eilfred and sophomore Nick Valdez.
Sophomore Riley Burton, who will hit the mat at 106 pounds, has also looked good early on and could enjoy success.
"(Burton) could make some noise," said Hobbs. "He is tall and has a lot of leverage. If we can get him to be more aggressive, he could have a good shot at (state)."
Like last season, the Bluejays will wrestle a difficult schedule that includes tournaments in Holbrook, Ariz., Dove Creek, Pagosa Springs, Aztec and Ignacio.
The Bluejays will open their home schedule with the San Juan Basin League Duals on Feb. 5.
"It's the second year for the program and the older kids are definitely more proficient," said Strazza-Whalen. "We're going to keep working hard to improve."
