DOLORES – While construction of the new high school continues steadily at the corner of 14th Street and Central Avenue, the Bears wrestling program is building its own foundation this winter.
Under the guidance of DHS graduate Ben Doss, a former Bears wrestler who later competed in college, Dolores opens the season with fresh faces and a work-first attitude.
A few meets into the season, the Bears have shown they intend to be a force in the San Juan Basin League.
“I like the attitude of this team,” said Doss. “They work really hard in the wrestling room – I’m excited to get to work with them.”
Dolores returns its lone state qualifier, senior Nathan Hill, hoping to add more black and red to Ball Arena in February. Junior Kenji Edwards brings experience alongside Hill as the Bears look to upperclassmen for leadership.
“Many of the kids have been wrestling since the summer – there’s a lot of dedication,” added Doss.
Most of the roster consists of first-year high school wrestlers, filling many smaller weight classes. Doss takes over after serving as a volunteer assistant coach and working with the peewee program, building ties to the team’s youth movement.
“It’s cool to come back to where I started my wrestling career,” said Doss, a 1992 graduate. “After I’ve worked with them over the last four years as middle schoolers, stepping into the head coaching role wasn’t a big change.”
Dolores will test itself in tournaments after the holiday break: Pagosa Springs on Jan. 10, the Clash at the Coliseum in Farmington the next weekend, and the Butch Melton tournament in Ignacio. Those lead into the SJBL Duals on Feb. 5 and the Class 2A regionals Feb. 13-14.
