THS grapplers won't surprise foes this time

Last season, Tucumcari - to the surprise of many - won its first district championship in more than 30 years.

A dismayed Valley coach, believing his team had won the title, was reluctant to give up the trophy until the New Mexico Activities Association confirmed Tucumcari had won it.

Because of that experience, second year coach Tim Clark said his Rattlers won't sneak up on district opponents this season.

"I think Ruidoso and Valley will have a target on our backs," Clark said before a practice last week. "Especially Valley: They were kinda upset we got that championship.

"I told the kids: 'They're going to come looking for us.'"

Regardless, Clark said Tucumcari should be "in the mix" for another title.

Talking about his athletes, Clark said sophomore Fernando Ureste is "driven" and probably would wrestle at 127 pounds for most of the season.

"He did great things last year, and he continues to improve," he said.

Nick Romero is still dealing with a few injuries from football, Clark said, and he'll wrestle at 121 or 127 pounds.

Clark said Isaiah Jimenez, a senior who didn't wrestle last season, should compete at 121 pounds and wants to finish his final high-school year on a high note.

Clark said junior Josh Pacheco competed in club wrestling competition during the off-season and "should be strong," mostly at 145 pounds.

Senior captain Antonio Gonzales will wrestle at at 172 - one class lighter than a year ago - but didn't compete at Saturday's opener because he was playing at Red-Green All-Star football game in Artesia.

Clark also mentioned Turpin as a strong wrestler, competing mostly at 107 pounds.

Clark said his team's middle weights are populated with freshmen or athletes new to the program.

He said he also has a few holes in the upper weights he'll have to deal with during dual meets.

In girls wrestling, Clark said he expects good things from senior Sarah Vallejo in the 140-pound range and junior MiKayla Klinger at 152 pounds.

He said the rest of the girls squad consists of four inexperienced freshmen.

As usual, Tucumcari has just one home meet, but it's a big one - the Rattler Invitational tournament in mid-December.

Clark said the girls competition will be the afternoon of Dec. 15, with six teams competing.

The Rattler Invitational boys competition, starting at 9 a.m. Dec. 16, has 14 teams committed to the event, including several from Texas and a first-year squad from Raton.

As Clark recovers from recent neck surgery, he is being assisted by former THS wrestling coach Eddie Encinias, who retired two seasons ago after a 20-year Hall of Fame career.

Tough start

The THS boys wrestling team endured a tough start to its season, losing four of five dual-meet matches Saturday at the Tom Torres Invitational at Las Lunas.

The Rattlers, however, competed better than at first glance. They wrestled against much bigger-enrollment squads at the 10-team tournament, and two of the losses were by six points or fewer. Another loss was by 12 points.

Tucumcari was hampered by forfeit losses during the event, including five such defeats in a close match against Valencia. Clark said at least four of his wrestlers were out with injuries or absences.

Clark said several wrestlers also weren't at their ideal weights.

Against Tucumcari, Valencia edged the Rattlers 33-30, Piedra Vista prevailed 54-23, the Las Lunas junior varsity won 36-30 and Class 5A powerhouse Cleveland breezed to a 72-0 victory.

Tucumcari's only victory of the weekend came with a 36-24 victory over district foe Del Norte.

For Tucumcari, Fernando Ureste (133 pounds), Josh Pacheco (152) and JT Turpin (114) each won four matches. Josh Hyslop (139) won three.

"Overall, I was happy," Clark said.

Several Tucumcari girl wrestlers also competed Saturday at the Hornets Sting Queens Invitational at Manzano High School in Albuquerque.

Freshmen Jocelyn Lopez (100 pounds) and Sarah Sanchez (114), senior Sarah Vallejo (126) and MiKayla Klinger (152) each notched at least one victory during the Albuquerque-dominated meet.

"They jumped right into it with tough competition," Clark said.