John Howes

In his fifth season heading Mullen, Howes is a native of Laramie, Wyo.; grew up in Pueblo. ... Graduated from Pueblo County High School in 1984 as he was a three-sporter, competing in football, wrestling, and track and field; was an all-state center in football and twice qualified for the state wrestling tournament. ... Went on to what was then known as Southern Colorado and played football for a year before the school dropped the sport; earned a degree in industrial technology and is retired from teaching in Jefferson County, where he also coached girls cross country. ... Overall, Howes has more than 30 years on the job, including seven as an assistant in wrestling at Green Mountain, 17 in command at Arvada and two as an assistant with Mullen. ... Sent 32 Arvada wrestlers to the state meet, oversaw nine state champions and had two competitors named recipients of the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award. ... 'Stangs' Dale O'Blia was won two state titles with Howes as head coach; Alina Antillon won first girls title for Mullen a season ago. ... . ...  Howes has had 31 state qualifiers the past three seasons, nine in 2021-22. ... Two-time all-state coach, 4A Jefferson County coach of the year and received various recognition from coaches in the National Federation of State High School Associations.