CORTEZ – Running out of space can be a good problem to have for Montezuma-Cortez wrestling coaches Ryan Daves and James Snyder.
The Panthers boys and girls wrestling teams have had to split their practices in the M-CHS wrestling room during early season workouts as nearly three dozen athletes – many of them new to the sport – take their turns on the mat in preparation for the 2025-26 season.
Daves credits the surge to last winter’s inaugural girls season, when three Panthers qualified for state. He now finds himself with 15 girls ready to give the sport a try, growth that has also boosted the boys program.
“We’ve got a lot of freshmen and kids who’ve never wrestled before, so we’re getting them caught up on the sport,” said Daves. “And we’re excited to have them all out there because there’s strength in numbers.”
On the girls side, sophomores CeJae Snyder and Paislee Mestas bring the experience of wrestling on the Ball Arena floor during the program’s debut at the state championships, while numerous newcomers add to the excitement around one of the state’s fastest-growing sports.
The boys return state qualifiers seniors Bodie Stiegelmeyer and Rusty Snyder, who lead in the weight room. Junior Keaton Curleyhair also brings state experience. Injuries slowed sophomore Teagun Samora last year, but Daves expects a strong comeback on a roster deep in middle and lighter weights.
“They’ve been pushing each other – it’s great to see,” Daves said of his leading returners. “And we partner up our experienced kids with the new wrestlers, and that helps us coaches make sure the kids are learning how to do things the right way.”
Preparing newcomers also means teaching the mental aspects of the sport.
“We’re dedicating a day each week for mental training, and we work on building confidence and staying positive,” Daves added.
M-CHS hopes to continue closing the gap on league powers such as Alamosa and Pagosa Springs, which are consistently on the state podium. “Our peewee and middle school programs keep growing, and that’s feeding into the high school,” Daves said. With numbers swelling, he wants to make sure kids continue to enjoy the sport, even through difficult stretches.
“We’ll share the blood, sweat, and tears on the mat, but we’re always looking to keep it fun, too,” he said.
The Panthers start the season Saturday, Dec. 6, at Bayfield. They’ll face major tournament tests in Montrose on Dec. 13, the Warrior Classic at Grand Junction Central on Dec. 19-20, and Albuquerque’s Conflict at Cleveland on Jan. 2-3.
In January, M-CHS will compete in a series of duals, including a home dual Jan. 29 and a larger home event Jan. 31. Regionals are scheduled for Feb. 13-14, with the girls 3A meet at North Fork and the boys in Delta. Top-four finishes will earn athletes a trip to the state championships Feb. 19-21 in Denver.
