CHS Wrestlers Place in Top 10 at Joe Vivian Meet

By Don Eskins

With 32 teams competing in both boys’ and girls’ divisions, Carlsbad High’s Cavemen and Cavegirl wrestling squads placed among the top ten teams at the recent Joe Vivian Invitational in Albuquerque on January 17-18.

The Cavegirls placed sixth at the meet, while the Cavemen finished ninth. No doubt, CHS head coach Mark Pratt was a very happy camper.

“Our coaching staff is so proud of these kids. They wrestled really well against some great competition. They also crossed a few barriers and turned a few corners,” Pratt said. “On the boys’ side, we got nine of our kids into the second round on Saturday, two on the championship side and seven on the consolation. This is the most we’ve ever had and was a fantastic feat for them.

“In the bigger meets we’ve participated in this year, we finished somewhere in the middle of the pack, so to watch our kids place in the top ten of this one tells us we’re moving in the right direction,” he said.

Pacing the Cavegirls was 235 lb. grappler Aaliyah Martin. Martin went 4-0 to claim first place and a gold medal. In the tournament’s championship final, she pinned last year’s state runner-up in the second round.

“Aaliyah isn’t very tall, but she has great balance. She performed great in her championship match,” said coach Pratt. “The girl she beat, last year’s state runner-up, entered the match at 19-1.”

Also placing for the Cavegirls were 114 lbs., Emily Fuentes, 4-2, fourth; 100 lbs., Andrea Ramirez, 5-2, fifth; and 185 lbs., Arianna Campos, 2-2, fifth.Top wrestlers for the Cavemen were 114 lbs., Aiden Rodriguez, 3-1, second; 113 lbs., Guess Box, 5-2, fifth; and 145 lbs., Justin Owens, 3-3, sixth.

“Although he didn’t win, Aiden had a great tournament,” said the CHS coach. “As the season progresses, we look for him to get even better.”

On Saturday, January 25, CHS’s wrestlers will be in Clovis for a dual meet. Action is scheduled to get underway at 2 p.m.

Joe Vivial Recaps:

Cavemen

Team: 9th of 32 teams

114- Aiden Rodriguez 3-1, 2nd; 121- Mythias Meier 1-2, DNP; 127- Sabas Hernandez 2-2, DNP; 133- Guess Box 5-2, 5th; 139- Open; 145- Justin Owens 3-3, 6th; 152- Francisco Calderon 5-2, 5th; 160- Joicis Ornelas 1-2, DNP; 172- Xavier Huff 1-2, DNP; 189- Geremiah West 3-1, DNP (Med. forfeit); 215- Jaxon Powell 2-2, DNP.

Cavegirls

Team: 6th of 32 teams

100- Andrea Ramirez 5-2, 5th; 107- (8th) Symphony Carlson 0-2, DNP; 114- Emily Fuentes 4-2, 4th

; 126- Ellianna Campos 3-2, DNP; 132- Mya Cornejo 1-2, DNP; 165- Jackie Powell 1-2, DNP

; 185- Arianna Campos 2-2, 5th; 235- Aaliyah Martin 4-0, 1st.