Tucumcari wrestlers prepare to host annual tournament

QCS Staff

The Tucumcari Rattlers wrestling team is preparing to host its annual wrestling tournament Saturday at the Snake Pit.

Head coach Eddie Encinias feels the local meet will be tougher than the state tournament.

“We are going to have some stout competition at this tournament and it is sure to be a gut-check not only for our guys but for those teams that will be attending,” Encinias said.

Encinias said he is really proud of the character his returning wrestlers have shown as they step up in the early season, working hard to improve and helping the younger wrestlers catch up to competition level.

“They are a very unselfish group taking the time to help the guys who are still a little green to get better,” Encinias said.

Encinias said the Rattlers will need to be ready Saturday when they face competition from what he calls the state’s best program, 6A Cleveland High School, as well as strong teams from Los Lunas, Roswell, Goddard, Robertson, West Las Vegas, and from Texas, Hereford, Pampa and Palo Duro.

Encinias said he knows his wrestlers will be ready to work for wins at their home tournament this weekend. He said the team had a strong showing last weekend at a duels competition held in Palo Duro, Texas. He said the Rattler crew beat Borger high school but lost to Palo Duro High School in the finals.