Throughout the early part of this century, Mancos wrestlers were known as some of the toughest in the state.

Faced to make budget cuts in the face of an economic recession, however, the district was forced to cut the high school wrestling program.

Now years removed from that cut, wrestling is again gaining a foothold in Mancos due to a flourishing peewee program, a fast-growing middle school program and a newly minted high school team.

With several dedicated coaches and hoardes of promising young wrestlers, all signs indicate that Bluejays' wrestlers will fly to great heights in the near future.

Peewee program growing

Currently in its fourth year of existence, the Mancos peewee wrestling program appears to be flourishing in every way.

Coached by Alan Mathews, the program is currently made up of 43 wrestlers and that number appears to be growing.

After taking 35 young wrestlers to the Cortez Wrestling Tournament, which hosted a total of 619 youth wrestlers, Mathews spared a moment to discuss the state of his program.

"Our program was terminated when the recession started," said Mathews. "We've had to start over from ground zero. It's starting to feed itself and it's picking up."

Young wrestlers excel

Watching Mancos wrestlers competing in the Cortez tournament, it was difficult to leave unimpressed.

Among the wrestlers competing in the event was Nate Temple, who, using an array of technical moves, enjoyed great success.

"I like getting people down," said Temple. "I've been wrestling for two years."

Discussing just how important the peewee program is to high school success, Mancos High School head coach Grant Hobbs was frank.

"It's very important to start (young) if you want to be a high school state champion," said Hobbs. "The Mancos peewee coaches are doing a great job. We're all on the same page and we're all working for the same thing at the end."

Whether that work eventually manifests itself in a state championship remains to be seen, yet there is little doubt that the program is heading in the right direction.

Thus, in the event that Mancos wrestling continues to grow and evolve, it would not be at all stunning to see Bluejays dotting podiums in the near future, just like they did in the old days.