Young wrestlers stepping up as state qualifying nears

QCS Staff

The Tucumcari Rattlers wrestling team is preparing to return to Robertson high school for the District 2 4A Duals on Saturday at Las Vegas.

The Rattlers competed on Friday and Saturday in what Head Coach Eddie Encinias called one of the toughest, if not the toughest among the tournaments in the state, the Cardinal Classic in Las Vegas.

“It’s a real gut check when you compete at a tournament like that,” Encinias said.

Encinias said the Rattlers were a but sluggish during the first day, but they managed to shake that off on the second day and had six wrestlers competing in the silver bracket.

“I have been impressed with how good our younger wrestlers are doing,” Encinias said, “even more so after last week’s tournament.”

The strongest performances came from Xavier Garcia, Antonio Norton, Michael Shelton and Rod Dunlap. Encinias said each of those wrestlers was able to come back and win some close matches.

While the Rattler wrestlers have seen almost everyone they will face in their district this year, the duals will offer a preview of what will come the following week during the district tournament at Pecos.

“Pecos will decide who makes it into state, the duals gives us a chance for added mat time which is always a good thing,” Encinias said.

Game time: 9 a.m. Saturday at Robertson.