Aztec Coach Levi Stout Honored After State Championship Repeat

Levi Stout received one of prep sports most prominent coaching honors on December 22, 2025, after guiding Aztec High School to the Class 4A state team championship earlier this year. The title marked the 21st state championship for the Tigers, extending a program legacy that has made Aztec one of New Mexico's most successful high school wrestling programs.

Stout has a long connection to the program and to regional wrestling. A former state champion at Aztec High, he served on the coaching staff at Dakota Wesleyan University and was head coach at Piedra Vista from 2002 through 2014 before taking over the Aztec program in 2023. Since his arrival the team has finished no worse than third at the state tournament, and this season continued its strong run of results. The program placed nine of 12 qualifiers at the most recent state meet, with six finishing in the top three.

Taking over a program with deep roots presented obvious challenges. "Taking over a program that has the history we have is challenging and humbling," Stout said, reflecting on the expectations that come with coaching a team that dates back decades. He succeeded longtime coach Herb Stinson, who led the Tigers to 13 state team championships between 1982 and 2000 and again in 2022.

Individual performances have complemented the team accomplishments. Last season Ian Vigil won the 127 pound title, a key factor in the championship run. This season Cory Douglas captured an individual title at the Warrior Classic in Grand Junction, taking the 165 pound final over Logan Smith of Piedra Vista. Delano Black also posted a strong result, finishing third at 157 with a decision over Braeden Flores of North Fork High School in Colorado. The program also won the junior varsity championship at the Veterans Memorial Invitational in Window Rock earlier this season.

Stout framed his work as broader than coaching technique. "It is not just blowing a whistle or wrapping ankles," he said. "It is about giving back and providing our youth with a winning attitude on and off the mat." He also emphasized ongoing development and upcoming competition, noting that "we have a big road trip coming up to Houston at the first of the year, and I think we are still getting better."

The award and the program's sustained success carry implications for community engagement and school priorities across San Juan County. Successful athletics programs can bolster student retention, encourage volunteerism through booster clubs and increase local visibility for schools. As Aztec prepares for national level competition and continued regional rivalry, school officials and residents will be watching how resources, travel logistics and youth development efforts align with the Tigers long established tradition of excellence. Special recognition alongside Stout went to Navajo Prep girls basketball coach Rainy Crip and Bloomfield High football coach Mike Kovacs.