CSU-Pueblo Athletics Induct Mannie Garcia Into Hall of Fame

CSU-Pueblo Athletics Hall of Fame honored its newest members this past summer.

The Class of 2018 features Former 3X New Mexico State Champion Manny Garcia. A standout wrestler at Rio Grande High School, Mannie Garcia continued his career at CSU Pueblo, where he was a three-time All-American.

His most notable achievements came in 1991, when Garcia captured an NAIA National Championship at the 118-pound weight class. Garcia's title in 1991 helped CSU-Pueblo with a NAIA Runner-Up Title.

The 1991 CSU-Pueblo Team was also inducted into the CSU-Pueblo Athletics Hall of Fame in 2017. Garcia had a strong finish as a senior with a record of 34-7, with 7 of his wins coming by pin. Becoming the first wrestler to reach the NCAA Division 2 finals, Mannie recorded a second-place finish at the 126-pound weight class.

Compiling a career record of 97-24-1 for CSU Pueblo, his honor was more than deserved.

After his career at CSU-Pueblo, Garcia served as a coach in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He coached some of the best wrestlers ever to come out of New Mexico, with credentials in coaching that may exceed his own as a competitor.

Garcia was inducted into the New Mexico Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2011. Coach Garcia is definitely a legend in the sport of wrestling for New Mexico; no one can deny that.

Date: 12/20/18