Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
Shelton, Garcia, Valverde place in Colorado tourney.
From left, Tucumcari Rattler wrestlers Michael Shelton, Xavier Garcia and Kaleb Hayes work out with the heavy ropes during Monday's practice.
The Tucumcari Rattlers wrestling team has been under the weather but hopes to bounce back today at a duels tournament in Las Vegas.
The duels tournament will give the Rattlers a chance to compete against district opponents Saint Michael's and Pojoaque Valley, according to Eddie Encinias, Rattlers head coach.
Encinias said the Rattlers have already dueled against Bernalillo and West Las Vegas earlier in the year. He said the plan is to only have to duel Taos and Robertson in the district duels.
Encinias said three wrestlers were not able to compete at the tournament in Trinidad Colorado. He said the tournament featured a lot of tough Colorado and Texas teams.
Teams competing out of Texas included Bushland, Boys Ranch and Dumas, and Colorado teams included Pueblo, Walsenburg and Alamosa.
Three Rattlers placed at the Colorado Tournament; 4. Isaiah Valverde, 285 pounds and 6. Michael Shelton, 160 pounds and 6 and Xavier Garcia, 170 pounds.
"There were several matches that were lost due to a five-match limit and toss of a coin," Encinias said.
Encinias said the Rattlers are working to get back on track before the Cardinal Classic Tournament at Las Vegas on Friday and Saturday.
"These wrestlers are dedicated to preparing themselves mentally and physically for district," Encinias said.
The Tucumcari Rattlers middle school wrestling team will compete in their final tournament Thursday at Dumas, Texas, said Tim Clark, middle school head coach.
Clark said the event will be a 16-team takedown tournament, and the middle school wrestlers will have a chance at some good matches before closing out the season.