Cavegirls 5th, Cavemen 9th at Joe Vivian

By Don Eskins

Carlsbad High School’s Cavemen and Cavegirl wrestlers registered another sound performance at the Joe Vivian Invitational in Albuquerque on Friday and Saturday, January 16-17.

Recognized as one of the top grappling tournaments in the state, the Cavegirls placed fifth in a field of 30 teams. The Cavemen, in a field of 31, finished ninth.

“This was one of the toughest weeks our kids have experienced,” said CHS head wrestling coach Mark Pratt. “We hosted a dual meet with Clovis on Thursday, hopped on a bus afterward, and drove to Albuquerque for the Joe Vivian Invitational on Friday.

“But our kids survived all of that and wrestled well,” he said. “Besides watching our girls place fifth and boys ninth, five Cavegirls and four Cavemen medaled.”

Pratt was especially proud of the performance recorded by Cavegirl Ellianna Campos. Campos, a junior who wrestles at 125 lbs., went 5-0 to capture first place and the gold medal that went with it.

“Ellianna works extremely hard. On the mat, she’s focused, aggressive, and attacks. If she gets an opponent on their back early, she’s more than like going to pin them,” said Pratt. “She gets better each week, and we have high hopes for her this year at regionals and state.”

Also medaling for the Cavegirls were 235, Atria Wells, silver; 170, Sophie Westfall, bronze; 190, Arianna Campos, bronze; and 235, Faith Abeyta, bronze.

The top medalist for the Cavemen was Jay Norris. At 157 lbs., Norris went 3-1 to collect a silver medal for placing second.

“Jay’s a really tough kid, and he executed well at the tournament. Like Ellianna, he works really hard on the mat,” said the CHS head coach. “He’s not one to stand back and let his opponent do all the work. He gets after them, and with a quick start, he can win.”

Also medaling for the Cavemen were 138, Justin Owens, bronze; 215, Juan Rubio, bronze; and 285, Jaxon Powell, bronze.

CHS Splits with Clovis

On Thursday, January 15, CHS hosted the Clovis Wildcats in a dual meet. In an impressive showing, the Cavemen rolled over the Cats 62-12.

The Cavemen recorded eight falls in routing the Cats. Registering pins were Phenyx Meier, William Graziano, Mathyis Meier, Francisco Calderon, Jay Norris, Xander Huff, Eddie Lopez, and Jaxson Powell.

The Cavegirls, with three open weight classes, lost a tight one to Clovis, 42-38. Five Cavegirls won by falls vs. the Cats. They were Ava Guymon, Camila Gamez, Emily Fuentes, Kendall Graziano, and Atria Wells. Ellianna Campos recorded a tech fall.

“Although a few of our kids came up a bit short of winning, our staff was proud of all the efforts we saw against Clovis,” said coach Pratt. “The Cavemen won in dominating fashion, and although the Cavegirls lost, had they not had three open classes, they could have won. We had to give up six points for each forfeit, so the girls started the match down 18-0. Even at that, they almost pulled it off.”

On Friday, January 23, the CHS JVs will compete at the Mark Pratt Invitational in Hobbs, TBD. On Thursday, January 29, CHS will host the Hobbs Eagles in a dual meet at 6 p.m. The match has been designated as Senior Night for the Cavemen and Cavegirl wrestlers.

It will be CHS’s final regular-season meet of the year. Next up on their schedule is the Girls’ Regional on February 6-7 in Roswell, and the Boys’ Regional on February 13-14. State will take place in Rio Rancho on February 20-21 for those who qualify.

Joe Vivian Invitational Jan. 16-17

Boys’ Team Scores: 9 of 31

Cavemen Results: 106, open; 113, Phenyx Meier, 0-2, DNP; 120, William Graziano, 0-2, DNP; 126, Zair Cornejo, 02, DNP; 132, Andrew Fuentes, 0-2, DNP; 132, Guess Box, 3-2, DNP; 138, Justin Owens, 5-2, 4th; 144, Mathyis Meier, 1-2, DNP; 144, Carter Pulice, 1-2, DNP; 150, open; 157, Jay Norris, 3-1, 2nd; 165, Xander Huff, 0-2, DNP; 175, Eddie Lopez, 2-2, DNP; 175, Manuel Dominguez, 0-2, DNP; 190, Xavier Huff, 3-2, DNP; 215, Juan Rubio, 4-2, 4th; 285, Jaxson Powell, 5-2, 4th.

Girls’ Team Scores- 5 of 30

Cavegirl Results: 100, Ava Guymon, 3-2, DNP; 105, Camila Gamez, 2-2, DNP; 105, Violet Harmer, 0-2, DNP; 110, Scarlett Harmer, 2-2, DNP; 115, Raelyn Graziano, 4-2, DNP; 120, Emily Fuentes, 2-2, DNP; 125, Ellianna Campos, 5-0, 1st; 130, open; 135, open; 140, open; 145, Kendall Graziano, 0-2, DNP; 155, Adrianna Carrasco, 0-2, DNP; 170, Sophie Westfall, 3-2, 4th; 190, Arianna Campos, 2-2, 3rd; 235, Faith Abeyta, 4-1, 3rd; 235, Atria Wells, 2-2, 2nd.

Carlsbad vs. Clovis Dual Meet Jan. 15

Team Scores: Cavemen 62, Clovis 12

Cavemen Results: 106, open; 113, Phenyx Meier, won by fall; 120, William Graziano, won by fall; 126, Zair Cornejo, lost by fall; 132, Guess Box, won by decision; 138, Justin Owens, won by decision; 144, Mathyis Meier, won by fall; 150, Francisco Calderon, won by fall; 157, Jay Norris, won by fall; 165, Xander Huff, won by fall; 175, Eddie Lopez, won by fall; 190, Xavier Huff, won by decision; 215, Juan Rubio, won by decision; 285, Jaxson Powell, won by fall.

Team Scores: Cavegirls 38, Clovis 42

Cavegirl Results: 100, Ava Guymon, won by fall; 105, Camila Gamez, won by fall; 110, Scarlet Harmer, lost by fall; 115, Raelyn Graziano, lost by fall; 120, Emily Fuentes, won by fall; 125, Ellianna Campos, won by tech fall; 130, open; 135, open; 140, open; 145, Kendall Graziano, won by fall; 155, Adrianna Carrasco, lost by fall; 170, Sophie Westfall, lost by fall; 190, Arianna Campos, won by decision; 235, Atria Wells, won by fall.