Cavegirls Qualify 5 Wrestlers for State Meet

By Don Eskins

After grappling their way through two days of grueling competition at the NMAA’s Southern Regional Wrestling Tournament held in Belen on February 7-8, five Cavegirls qualified to move on to the state wrestling tournament in Rio Rancho, scheduled to get underway on Friday and Saturday, February 21-22.

The top seven placers in each weight class, plus a wild card, gained berths into the state tournament.

As a team competing in a field of 35, the Cavegirls placed fourth.

“We got some great efforts from all of our girls. We took seven to the meet and qualified five,” said CHS head coach Mark Pratt. “We wish we could have gotten them all in, but things just didn’t work out that way for us.

“In a field of 35, they placed fourth, just twelve points shy of finishing third,” he said. “The fact that they placed among the top five teams tells you just how well they performed. Our coaches couldn’t be more proud of them all.”

Making the most noise for CHS at the meet were Cavegirls Aaliyah Martin and Emily Fuentes. Martin, who wrestles at 235 lbs., went 4-0 to capture the Regional Championship. Fuentes, who competes at 114 lbs., posted a record of 5-1 to place third.

“Aaliyah just dominated her class. She won all four matches via pins. She recorded her first three pins in the first period and her fourth in the second,” Pratt said. “We expected her to win, and she got it done. She’s had a spectacular year, but it’s not over yet. Right now, she’s set her sights on grabbing the state title.

“Emily also wrestled extremely well. She went 5-1 to place third. It was by far her best performance of the year,” he said. “She was snapping well, was sharp with her precision shooting. She just went out and took care of business. We’re hoping to see the same Emily when she steps on the mats at state.”

Other Cavegirls punching their tickets to the state tournament were Arianna Campos, Ellianna Campos, and Andrea Ramirez.

Arianna, at 185, went 3-3 to place sixth; Ellianna, at 126, went 3-2 to place seventh; and Andrea Ramirez, at 100, went 2-3 but received a berth into this year’s state tournament as a wild card selection.

Cavemen compete at Regionals

The Southern Regional Wrestling Tournament—the state qualifying meet for high school boys—will take place in Las Cruces on Friday and Saturday, February 14-15.

Carlsbad High will enter nine Cavemen in the tournament, all with hopes of moving on to the Big Dance on February 21-22 in Rio Rancho.

As in the girls’ regionals, the top seven placers in each weight class, plus a wild card, will advance to state.

“Our boys are ready,” said Pratt. “They do better in tournaments than duals, so we feel like this could be a very good tournament for them.”

Taking the mats for the Cavemen will be, at 114 lbs., Aiden Rodriguez; 121 lbs., Mythias Meier; 127 lbs., Sabas Hernandez; 133 lbs., Guess Box; 139 lbs., Jay Norris; 152 lbs., Francisco Calderon; 160 lbs., Ethan Powell; 172 lbs., Xavier Huff; and 215 lbs., Jaxon Powell. The Cavemen will be without the services of Justin Owens at 145 and Geremiah West at 189. Both are out with injuries. Last year, Owens placed fourth at the state meet.

Girls Southern Regional Results

Team: CHS 4th of 35

100- Andrea Ramirez 2-3, 8th (Wild card)

114- Emily Fuentes 5-1, 3rd,

126- Ellianna Campos 3-2, 7th

132- Mya Cornejo 3-3, 8th (DNQ)

165- Jackie Powell 2-1, DNP

185- Arianna Campos 3-3, 6th place

235- Aaliyah Martin 4-0, 1st