Mike Jurney is the name synonymous with the very successful Rocky Ford High School wrestling program.

During his 35 years at the helm, Rocky Ford has finished in the Top 10 at the state tournament 25 times, including two team titles and three runner-up team finishes.

Jurney has coached 34 individual state champions and numerous state place-winners.

He has been named coach of the year by the Colorado High School Coaches Association five times and was a finalist for the National High School Athletic Coaches Association coach of the year award in 2005.

Jurney was a coach for the CHSCA All-State Games in 2007 and 2022.

The 1985 graduate of Moffatt County High School earned his bachelor's degree from Adams State University in 1992. One look at Mike Jurney’s right arm and it’s clear why he is synonymous with Rocky Ford wrestling. His commitment to his wrestling life is not just in his blood — it’s on his skin. There are the remnants from surgeries — on his elbow, multiple knees, and other battle scars from his time on the mat as a competitor. But even further up the sleeve, on the outside of his right bicep, is a tattoo of the iconic Meloneer mascot, donning a singlet and a headgear, commemorating his long- awaited and first state championship team in 2015. Coach Jurney’s commitment to Meloneer wrestling culminates now in the Lifetime Service to Wrestling achievement from the National Wrestling Hall of Fame - Colorado Chapter. Jurney’s own wrestling journey started at a young age, earning state medal honors as a Moffat County Bulldog before becoming a three-time NAIA national qualifier at Adams State. But his true service to the sport has been in the corner of the mat.

For the last 35 years, Jurney has led and mentored hundreds of young wrestlers both on the mat and in the classroom. And he’s done it all in a small town that already had an established wrestling legacy that he has helped build upon. “I knew about Rocky Ford wrestling (when he got the job in 1991), but I didn’t know the whole gist of the legacy,” Journey said. “We kind of just got going. I just enjoyed the different groups of kids, building up the kids’ program, the junior high program.

“There were some tough years of course. But you still have great kids and great experiences. It’s always just satisfying to see those little successes.” But Jurney’s successes have rarely been little. To go with team championships in 2015 and 2017, the animated Coach Jurney guided 35 individual state champions and 145 place winners to go with 27 total top-10 team finishes. With the Meloneers since 1993, Jurney has racked up 442 dual meet victories (and counting). For him, those bring about some of the most special moments to connect with a passionate and knowledgeable wrestling community.

“Being able to go to the store or a restaurant and recapping a Thursday dual is just amazing. Putting out a good product for a good dual meet is very satisfying and fulfilling,” Jurney said. “Having a packed gym for a big dual, a loud crowd at regionals, a big cheering section at state that everyone can hear … it’s priceless.” Jurney has coached alongside many other legends of the sport, including a mentor in the late, great Allen Cutsforth, who helped bridge the gap between the two eras of Rocky Ford wrestling success. With small town resources, it can be difficult to build a consistent winner. But Jurney credits much of the program’s success to the youth levels. “Being very active and visible has been a big help, just getting to know the kids from a young age and trying to swing them over to wrestling,” Jurney said.

“Of course, winning state championships is quite a highlight. But I still think about the contact with the kids that I have had over the years, people who still call and come watch our matches, people that are doing well in life … it’s brought a lot of joy over the years.”

(Presenter- Phil Grasmick)