Wrestlers to Open 2025 at Hobbs Meet

By Don Eskins

On Saturday, November 29, the Carlsbad High School wrestling program will officially kick off the 2025-26 grappling season in Hobbs. Action is scheduled to get underway at 8 a.m.

In Hobbs, CHS will participate in a meet called the Battle of the Border. The meet, said CHS head wrestling coach Mark Pratt, will be quite different from most dual-meet formats they’ll participate in this year.

“There will be six teams from New Mexico and six from Texas. But we won’t be wrestling against any New Mexico teams, only teams from Texas,” said Pratt. “So, it should be a lot of fun for our kids. Also, as they’ll be participating in six dual meets, they’ll be getting a lot of mat time for their first outing of the year.”

And what does CHS hope to achieve at the meet?

“This meet, our first one of the year, will allow our kids to get their feet wet. It should help them to get rid of any nervousness they might be experiencing as they get their first taste of 2025-26 competition under their belts,” he said. “We also want to win all six of our dual matches with Texas.”

As for CHS’s wrestlers, Pratt said his kids are eager to get started on the new season.

“We’ve had a good off-season this year, and as of right now, we have 68 kids participating in our program,” he said. “So, our numbers look good, as are our kids’ expectations as we kick off the new season.”

In Hobbs, the Cavemen will be looking to returnees Justin Owen, Francisco Calderon, Xavier Huff, Jay Norris, and Sabas Hernandez for leadership.

Leading the way for the Cavegirls will be returnees Ellianna Campos, Scarlett Harmer, Emily Fuentes, and Faith Abeyta.

Following their season-opener in Hobbs, CHS’s wrestlers will compete at the Rio Rancho Invitational on Friday and Saturday, December 5-6.