Depth lifts Los Lunas Tigers, Belen Eagles at Joe Vivian Invite

ALBUQUERQUE — It was another solid showing by Los Lunas and Belen, as a half dozen wrestlers from each team placed in the top six Saturday at the Joe Vivian Invitational.

For the third week in a row, LLHS posted a high finish in a prestigious boys’ tournament, with the Tigers fourth (173.5 points).

Volcano Vista, the host school, was team champion (280). Belen was a strong sixth in the 32-team field (148.5), while Valencia came in 14th (54).

LLHS and BHS each had one individual champion. James Bachicha, of Los Lunas, won a title for the third straight week at 160 pounds, while Belen’s Joshua Jaramillo was the winner in the 121-pound weight class.

“It’s pretty tough,” is how Aaron Pyle, of LLHS, described wrestling in big events week after week.

“These tournaments are just practice for state. We have a few injured teammates but we’re hoping they make a quick recovery,” said Pyle, who was fifth at 145 pounds.

“It is very tiring,” said Belen sophomore Mario Gutierrez, referring to the number of matches many wrestlers face week after week. “At the same time, you have to keep a good mentality, keep yourself focused.”

Wrestlers often will be paired against familiar faces.

Ansel Salaz of BHS started the invitational with a pin over a Cobre opponent, who Salaz defeated recently in another tournament.

“He got better so I had to make a few adjustments, but I got it done,” said Salaz. “I learn something new every day. Different kids, different moves.”

Salaz was runner-up at 139 pounds.

Yovan Suarez was the only placer for Valencia, fourth in the 114-pound weight class.

In addition to Bachicha and Pyle, the other medalists for Los Lunas were Andres Romero, third at 133; Ayden Cordova, third at 139; Santiago Urbina, fourth at 285; and Alexis Zapata, sixth at 189.

Belen wrestlers who placed, along with Bachicha and Salaz, were Edward Freeman, third at 160; Manny Valdez, fourth at 127; David Sedillo, sixth at 107; and Daniel Chilimidos, sixth at 215.

The Joe Vivian Girls Invitational was held at the same time, with VHS the top Valencia County team, coming in eighth. The Jaguars were led by Alexis Avis-Labus, runner-up at 107; Adriana Berni, third at 100; and Angelique Ortega, fourth at 165.

Because of the success of Avis-Labus and Berni, teammate Chiara Perez helps the team by wrestling above her weight in the 114-pound weight class.

“I’ve been practicing a lot on our heavier people,” Perez said about her VHS workouts. “I need to practice a lot on getting faster and taking them down right away.”

Perez, who tips the scales at about 108 pounds, went 4-2 in the tournament.

Belen would have likely finished higher than 15th, but Lisette Sanchez, one of the top wrestlers in 4A, lost her 120-pound semifinal by medical forfeit and was unable to continue in the tournament.

The Eagles’ Olyvia Sanchez was third at 114-pounds.

Janie Wheeler, fourth at 235 pounds, led Los Lunas, which came in 22 out of 32 teams. Atrisco Heritage was the team champion.

Girls team results

1. Atrisco Heritage, 171

2. Volcano Vista, 133

3. West Mesa, 114

8. Valencia, 84.5

15. Belen, 54

22. Los Lunas, 28.5

Boys team results

1. Volcano Vista, 280

2. Atrisco Heritage, 191.5

3. La Cueva, 189.5

4. Los Lunas 173.5

6. Belen 148.5

14. Valencia 54