The Pagosa Springs High School Pirate grapplers will head to Bayfield this weekend for their first tournament of the 2024-2025 season — an opportunity coach Dan Janowsky hopes his young team uses to build confidence and lay the foundation for a season of growth.
The Lady Pirates will also open their season this weekend, though in Farmington, N.M.
Assessing the boys’ and girls’ teams, Janowsky said, “We’ve got some outstanding wrestlers, we do.”
He called a handful of his wrestlers state contenders.
Janowsky commented that the boys’ squad has three individuals ranked in the top six of the state: Anthony Manzanares, Colton Lucero and Antonio Quesada.
Janowsky also commented that the girls’ squad has around 10 wrestlers with one state qualifier returning, Laken Baxstrom.
“They’re a hard working bunch,” he said.
The team advanced seven wrestlers to the state tournament last season.
“But the majority of our team is kind of in the developmental stage and we’re going to have to spend our time and be patient with them and be smart about when we wrestle and who we wrestle,” he continued. “We’ve got to build their skills and build their confidence.”
From what he’s seen so far, Janowsky indicated one essential skill is already in place: desire.
“I love teaching young people how to wrestle,” Janowsky said, “and you take them where they are. And, I’m glad they’re here and I’m glad they want to learn how to do it. We the coaching staff will give them everything we got.”
With “one, good structured practice under their belts,” Janowsky pointed to Bayfield and Farmington as a chance for the Pirates to implement game plans and focus on the battle, rather than results.
“I do expect to see they’re going to give a great effort,” the coach said. “I don’t have any doubt of that. They’re going to work hard and they’re going to battle. They’ll wrestle hard.”
He continued, “I think that’s going to result in some wins. But we’re not really concerned with that at this point.”
Schedules
The following schedules were accurate as of press time Wednesday, but is subject to change.
Lady Pirates
The girls’ wrestling team will open its season this Friday, Dec. 6, as they travel to Farmington, N.M., to take on the Farmington Scorpions. Matches are slated to begin at 3 p.m.
On Saturday, Dec. 14, the Lady Pirates will compete in the Bobcat Duals taking place at Bloomfield High School in Bloomfield, N.M., with matches starting at 9 a.m.
The Lady Pirates will then compete in the Warrior Classic on Dec. 20 and 21 at Grand Junction High School. Matches are scheduled to begin at noon on Dec. 20 and 9 a.m. on Dec. 21.
After the new year, the Lady Pirates will resume action at the Queens of the Mountain tournament scheduled for Jan. 18, 2025, at Battle Mountain High School in Edwards. Matches are set to begin at 11:30 a.m.
On Jan. 25, 2025, the Lady Pirates will compete in the Butch Melton Invitational at Ignacio High School. Matches are set to begin at 9 a.m.
On Feb. 1, 2025, the Lady Pirates will travel to Del Norte to participate in the Rio Grande Women’s Showdown, with matches starting at 9 a.m.
Pirates
The Pirate boys’ wrestling team will open its season this Saturday, Dec. 7, competing in the Bayfield tournament, with matches set to start at 9 a.m.
On Saturday, Dec. 14, the Pirates will take on Columbine High School in Columbine, with matches starting at 9 a.m.
On Dec. 20 and 21, the boys’ team will also be competing in the Warrior Classic Grand Junction. Matches are set to start at noon on Dec. 20 and 9 a.m. on Dec. 21.
After the new year, the Pirates will host the Rocky Mountain Duals and Rocky Mountain Tournament at Pagosa Springs High School on Jan. 10 and Jan. 11, 2025. Match times are to be determined.
On Jan. 17 and 18, 2025, the Pirates will compete in the Mel Smith Invitational in Florence. Match times are to be determined.
The Pirates will then compete in a varsity dual against Bayfield High School on Jan. 24, 2025 in Bayfield, with matches set to begin at 5 p.m.
On Jan. 25, 2025, the Pirates will compete in the Centauri Tri in La Jara, with matches starting at 9 a.m.
On Jan. 28, 2025, the Pirates will host a dual against Montezuma-Cortez, with matches starting at 5 p.m.
clayton@pagosasun.com
