CHS Wrestlers Among Tops at Rio Rancho

By Don Eskins

Carlsbad High’s Cavemen and Cavegirl wrestling teams turned some heads at the Rio Rancho Invitational in Rio Rancho on Friday and Saturday, December 5-6.

The CHS grapplers—in only their second meet of the new season—placed among the top wrestling squads at the tourney.

Needless to say, when all was said and done in Rio Rancho, CHS head coach Mark Pratt was a very happy camper.

The Cavemen participated in nine dual matches in Rio Rancho, while the Cavegirls competed in tournament competition.

“The boys finished third of 28 teams during pool play and second in championship-round competition. Overall, they placed 10th,” said Pratt. “The girls, in a field of 17, placed fourth. So, I’d say our kids had a great weekend of wrestling in Rio Rancho.

“Our kids looked strong, and they all wrestled with a lot of aggressiveness, something we push hard for them to do in practice,” said Pratt. “Our coaching staff was both impressed and encouraged by the effort they all put out.”

En route to placing fourth, the Cavegirls recorded three first- and two second-place finishes. Collecting tournament championships were 120 lb. Emily Fuentes, 4-0; 125 lb. Ellianna Campos, 4-0; and 235 Faith Abeyta, 3-0. Tournament runners-up were 190 lb. Arianna Campos, 1-2, and 235 lb. Atria Wells, 2-0.

Leading the way for the Cavemen were 165 lb. Jay Norris, 8-1; 144 lb. Justin Owen, 7-2; 190 lb. Francisco Calderon, 7-2; and 215 lb. Juan Rubio, 7-0, in pool play, and 215 lb. Xavier Huff, 2-0, in championship-round wrestling.

Since the boys competed in dual-match wrestling, individuals received no tournament places.

While the CHS varsity squads were competing in Rio Rancho, the Cavemen JVs competed at the Goddard Rockets Open. Raul Valenzuela, 138 lb., a tournament champion after posting a perfect 3-0 record, paced the Carlsbad effort.

The Cavemen and Cavegirls will next compete on Thursday, December 18, at the Goddard Dual Meet. The meet is scheduled to get underway at 6 p.m.

On Friday, December 19, the Cavegirls, along with the boys’ and girls’ junior varsity squads, will compete at the Roswell High Invitational. The tournament will begin at 7 a.m.

On Saturday, December 20, the Cavemen will participate in the Roswell Invitational. Action is scheduled to begin at 7 a.m.

CHS Wrestlers at Rio Rancho:

Boys’ Team Results: third of 28 in pool play; second in championship round; 10th overall.

Cavemen Meet Records: 106, open; 113, Phenyx Meier, 2-7; 120, William Graziano, 3-6; 126, open; 132, Andrew Fuentes, 2-7; 138, Guess Box, 4-5; 144, Justin Owens, 7-2; 150, Francisco Calderon, 7-2; 157, Carter Police, 1-5; pool play: Tyson Vasquez, 1-2; championship round: 165, Jay Norris, 8-1; 175, Eddie Lopez, 6-3; 190, Manuel Dominguez, 4-5; 215, Juan Rubio, 7-0; pool play, 215. Xavier Huff, 2-0; championship round: 285, Jaxson Powell, 6-3.

Girls’ Team Results: Tournament: fourth of 17 teams

Cavegirl Varsity Records: 100, Ava Guymon, 1-2; 105, Camila Gamez, 1-2; 110, Violet Harmer, 0-2; 115, Scarlett Harmer, 0-2; 115, Breanna Trujillo, 0-2; 120, Emily Fuentes, 4-0, first; 120, Raelyn Graziano, 2-2; 125, Ellianna Campos, 4-0, first; 130, Presleigh Lindgren, med. out; 135, open; 140, Open; 145, open; 155, Kendall Graziano, 2-2; 170, Adrianna Carrasco, 1-2; 190, Arianna Campos, 1-2, second; 235, Faith Abeyta, 3-0, first; 235, Atria Wells, 2-0, second.

Goddard Rocket Boys’ JV Open (Alamo-Artesia-Roswell-Goddard-Carlsbad):

113, Max Valenzuela, 0-2, second; 126, Max Delapaz, 0-3, fourth; 138, Raul Valenzuela, 3-0, first; 138, Rydge Crow, 3-2, second; 138, Zair Cornejo, 2-1, third; 138, Oliver Pina, 0-2; 138, Caiden Stockwel, 2-3, fourth; 144, Elijah Ccampbell, 1-1, second; 144, Brody Barkley, 0-2, third; 150, Kason Calderon, 3-1, third; 150, Daniel Bencomo, 2-3, fourth; 150, Eli Johnson, 0-2; 165, Josiah Anaya, 0-1; 175, Israel Methola, 0-3, fourth; 215, Jordan Burnell, 1-2.