Serving the High Plains
The Tucumcari boys wrestling crowned champions in Josh Pacheco and Antonio Gonzales on Saturday during the eight-team Al Salazar Memorial Tournament at St. Michael’s High School in Santa Fe.
The Tucumcari girls team also boasted two champions during the five-team part of the meet.
Pacheco won the title in the 152-pound weight class, going 3-0 during the tournament — all by pin.
Gonzales captured the 172-pound class with two pins and an 8-0 decision in the final.
“Josh looked really, really good,” coach Tim Clark said. “Antonio went out and kicked butt. It was pretty tough competition, but it will help us with our seeding in future tournaments.”
Tucumcari’s Isaiah Jimenez finished second at the meet in the 127-pound weight class. Teammates Benny Garcia and Isaiah Ureste each was runner-up in the 189-pound and 215-pound class, respectively.
Maliki Aldrete finished third in the 152-pound class. JT Turpin also finished third at 107.
One of Tucumcari’s top wrestlers, Fernando Ureste, didn’t go to the tournament because he was attending a memorial service for a family member.
The Tucumcari boys finished with 67 team points, finishing behind Espanola Valley (80 points), Taos (90 1/2) and meet champion Rio Rancho (110).
In the girls part of the tournament, the Lady Rattlers boasted two champions.
Sarah Vallejo won the 120-pound weight class for Tucumcari.
“She did really, really well,” Clark said.
Sara Sanchez won the 110-114-pound bracket, with teammate Jocelyn Lopez finishing runner-up.
MiKayla Klinger didn’t compete because of lack of athletes in her weight class.
Tucumcari finished third of five teams with 13 points, behind Tierra Encantada and meet champ Espanola Valley.
This week, Tucumcari will host the 14-team Rattler Invitational beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday.
Amarlllo meet
A shorthanded Tucumcari boys team dropped two of three dual meets against Texas teams Thursday at Amarillo.
The Rattlers defeated Pampa 46-24 but fell to Amarillo High 54-27 and Boys Ranch 45-36.
Clark said two of his wrestlers were sick and didn’t make the trip. Another, sophomore Nick Romero, decided to sit out the rest of the season due to chronic shoulder issues from football. Clark said Romero vowed to return next season.
As a result, Clark said his team — already lacking some athletes in the middle weight classes — gave up four bouts to forfeits.
“It hurts when you give up points,” he said.
Tucumcari’s Fernando Ureste won four matches on the day, including an exhibition.
Josh Pacheco and Isaiah Jimenez won three bouts. Julian Brown and JT Turpin each went 2-1.