Eagles strong contenders for state wrestling title

Heading into the boys NMAA A-4A State Wrestling Championship this weekend, the Belen Eagles carry a full complement of competitors, a regional title and a tag as one of the favorites.

However, first-year BHS head coach Chris Perea would prefer giving the front-runner role to someone else.

“We’re in the hunt, but I wouldn’t call us the favorite,” said Perea, who points to Aztec as the team to beat.

Still, at least on paper, don’t count the Eagles out of that top spot after winning the Region 2-4A Championship Saturday. BHS qualified 13 wrestlers in Santa Teresa, including champions Tristan Lopez (165) and Damion Gomez (175). Adrian Lovato (215) was later awarded a wildcard berth, giving Belen competitors in all 14 weight classes for the state meet at Rio Rancho Events Center.

“Anytime you’re going to battle with everybody, it’s good to have all your guys … it puts us in a good spot,” Perea admitted.

Also at the regional, Valencia finished a solid fifth, placing nine wrestlers, with Malachi McCoy (190) and brothers Dominik Suarez (106) and Yovan Suarez (113) earning runner-up medals.

“I’m extremely proud of everybody because they went above and beyond themselves,” said VHS coach Shawn Avis-Labus.

One of the highlights was at 165-pounds, where Cole Moss twice pinned the No. 1 seed on his way to a third-place finish.

As far as the state tournament, Avis-Labus believes, “We just need to show up and do what we do every day and that’s wrestle.”

Region 2-5A Championship

An injury and illness will prevent Los Lunas from fielding the state tournament roster coach Steve Chavez was hoping for.

At the Region 2-5A Championship, Weston Talley (285) suffered an injured shoulder in his first match and was unable to continue, while another LLHS wrestler was sick and never got on the mat.

Despite the misfortune, the Tigers ended up third overall, with 11 wrestlers qualifying for state.

“Everybody came through. I am just so proud of this team,” Chavez said following the meet at West Mesa High School. Nava Gurule (120), Noah Chavez (132) and Andres Romero (150) were regional champions.

Both Thaniel Padilla (157) and Julian Ulibarri (175) were seeded ninth going into the tournament, but each surprised by finishing seventh, earning the last spot in their weight classes for state.

“To qualify for state is such a big accomplishment,” coming from a low seed, said Chavez.

“It will be my first time ever going, so I don’t really know what to expect,” Ulibarri added.

However, Ulibarri does expect the Tigers to finish in the top three as a team.

“We’ve got the guys for it,” he said.

The boys A-4A and 5A championships, along with the girls all-classes state meet, are Friday and Saturday at Rio Rancho Events Center. The regionals for girls were held last week.

Region 2-4A Boys Championship

1. Belen, 227.5

2. St. Pius, 218

3. Silver, 178.5

4. Socorro, 139.5

5. Valencia, 135.5

Belen

1. Damion Gomez (175)*

1. Tristan Lopez (165)*

2. Manny Valdez (132)*

2. Ryder Williamson (285)*

3. David Sedillo (113)*

4. Mason Carillo (106)*

4. Mythias Layton (126)*

4. Jeremy Trujeque (190)*

5. Alberto Jaquez (144)*

6. Larry Duran (120)*

6. Jayden Padilla (138)

6. Mario Gutierrez (150)*

6. Stephen Ulibarri (157)*

Wildcard Adrien Lovato (215)

Valencia

2. Dominik Suarez (106)*

2. Yovan Suarez (113)*

2. Malachi McCoy (190)*

3. Cole Moss (165)*

4. Jorgen Booth (120)*

5. Elijah Avis-Labus (132)*

6. Jacob Roth (175)*

7. Zaden Marquez (126)*

8. Emmitt Bland (138)

Region 2-5A Boys Championship

1. Atrisco Heritage Academy, 239.5

2. Las Cruces, 208

3. Los Lunas, 194.5

4. Hobbs, 179.5

5. Clovis, 142.5

Los Lunas

1. Nava Gurule (120)*

1. Noah Chavez (132)*

1. Andres Romero (150)*

2. Mathew Valdez (126)*

3. Alberto Perea (144)*

4. Anthony Scott (138)*

4. Elias Serafin (215)*

5. Caiden Sais (165)*

5. Bryant Baca (190)*

7. Thaniel Padilla (157)*

7. Julian Ulibarri (175)*

*Indicates automatic state qualifier