Two tournaments into its season, the Mancos High School wrestling program continues to show improvement.
One of 13 schools competing at the Dawg Fight Tournament in Dove Creek on Dec. 13, Mancos placed two wrestlers on the podium and placed in the top 10 as a team.
"I'm seeing constant improvement from all of my kids," said Mancos head coach Grant Hobbs. "We started with no experience last year and now we're competing with kids who are good wrestlers and state qualifiers. As a whole, this was the best weekend we've had during my time as head wrestling coach."
Leading the way for Mancos was 120-pound senior Rudy Archuleta, who finished second in his weight class with a 4-1 record. Archuleta was pinned by Dolores's Dustin Beltran in the finals.
"It was a great day for Rudy," said Hobbs. "He really showed why he was a state qualifier (last season). He's improving every week. He got caught in the finals and pinned."
Also making the podium for Mancos was 152-pound junior Andrew Morgan, who placed third overall with a 4-1 record.
"(Andrew) wrestled the best that I've ever seen him wrestle in his career," said Hobbs. "He's hard-working, and he's having a lot of success. He's usually slow out of the gates, but this week he took care of business and took care of that."
Also competing in the tournament for Mancos were 106-pound freshman Riley Burton and 126-pound freshman Caleb Hargraves. While both wrestlers struggled to score points, Hobbs said that he was pleased with their progress.
"They had a tough day, but they're progressively improving," said Hobbs of his freshmen. "They made some little mistakes, but it looks like they're turning the corner.
Other Mancos wrestlers competing in the tournament included 126-pound junior Aura Kirks, 138-pound sophomore Axel Bonde, 152-pound sophomore Bowen Strazza-Whalen, 160-pound freshman Cameron Fury, 170-pound sophomore Austin Howerton, 170-pound sophomore Dave Filfren and 195-pound junior Chris O'Connell.
Hobbs said that Kirks the first female wrestler to compete for Mancos since the program was resurrected last year.
"It was her (Kirks') first time on the wrestling mat," said Hobbs. "It was nice to see her step on the mat and it's nice to have a female wrestler in our program."
Next up for Mancos will be the Webb Toyota Invitational, which will take place at Piedra Vista High School in Farmington on Dec. 20.