Wrestlers Celebrate Victories at End-Of-Season Tournament

By Misty Cryer

Carlsbad Combat Wrestling, composed of Carlsbad and Loving wrestlers from elementary through high school, closed out the season at the Under the Lights Duals and Individual Tournament in Socorro.

Bringing back multiple Champions and a list of placements to be proud of, the wrestlers are taking a short break before preparing for the upcoming New Mexico Junior Wrestling season.

“In just a few short years, Carlsbad Combat Wrestling has gone from five kids to a roster of over 60,” said Coach Jimmy Westfall. He said that in June, Combat made a huge showing at the Rocky Mountain Nationals in Las Vegas, followed by a good showing in July at the Socorro Under the Lights Duals and Individual Tournament.

“We took 19 kids to Las Vegas to compete at the Rocky Mountain Nationals. We had a lot of kids placed. Overall, they took 32nd out of over 300 teams, which was pretty good considering the amount of experience the majority of the kids that went had,” said Westfall.

Most recently, Combat wrestlers competed in a wrestling tournament in Socorro, Under the Lights. “We took two dual teams: an elementary boys’ dual team and a junior high girls’ dual team, and they competed on Friday night,” said Westfall. “The girls ended up taking first place, and the boys ended up taking second place in the duals,” he said, explaining that the dual teams compete against different teams from Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.

“On Saturday night, we had the individual tournament,” said Westfall. “Carlsbad came home with 12 Champions,” he said, specifying that they consisted of seven elementary Champions, three junior high Champions, and two high school Champions.

With all of the placements, Westfall said, “Overall, we ended up taking second place in that tournament out of 70-plus teams.”

He shared the following individual placements:

Elementary

Champions: Maddox Canales, Dristan Perry, Bryce Menuey, Kentley Dugas, Thatcher Lindsey, Scarlett Graziano, and Josiah Calderon

Second Place: Maddox Canales, Kentley Dugas, Lilyana Rogers, and Scarlet Graziano

Third Place: Lewis Dugas and Lilyana Rogers

Fourth Place: Jeremiah Dugas, Mason Messer, and Kyle Calderon

Fifth Place: Kori Calderon

Middle School

Champions: Kendal Calderon, Phoebe Westfall, and Sophie Westfall

Second Place: Will Graziano, Raelynn Graziano, Kember Graziano, Sophie Westfall, and Phoebe Westfall

Third Place: Will Graziano, Ava Guymon, Mattie Alexander, Teagan Lindsey, Kimber Graziano, and Kendal Graziano

Fourth Place: Mattie Alexander

Fifth Place: Raelynn Graziano

High School

Champions: Jeremiah Norris and Ellianna Campos

Second Place: Arianna Campos

Fourth Place: Kendal Graziano

“Jack Waters took seventh in a tough field of competitors. Phoebe Westfall won Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament with many wrestlers within reach in their division,” Westfall said.

While the date is not set in stone yet, he said, “We’re hosting a New Mexico Junior Wrestling tournament here in Carlsbad. That will bring from 300 to 500 wrestlers to town.”

During a short break of a few weeks, Carlsbad Combat Wrestling is doing some fundraisers and having meetings to get ahead of the regular New Mexico Junior Wrestling season, which starts in October, said Westfall.

Visit the Facebook page for Carlsbad Combat Wrestling to follow the events or for information about joining an award-winning team. Jimmy Westfall can be reached at 575-703-0255.

“We take kids from elementary school to junior high school,” said Westfall. He explained that during the off-season, high school kids practice and travel with Carlsbad Combat Wrestling to tournaments; however, during the regular wrestling season, they are part of their high school teams. When practice starts, it will be after school until the high school team begins practicing, then the elementary and middle school wrestlers will practice afterward, he said.