Wrestling dual returns with high drama

BELEN — It wouldn’t have been a surprise if the return of the wrestling dual meet between Los Lunas and Belen on Wednesday brought plenty of drama, but who could have predicted such a tension-filled cliffhanger?

In the final match of the night, in front of a packed gymnasium at BHS, Eagle Manny Valdez, senior, was trailing 3-2 to start the third period. However, Valdez threw his opponent to his back and registered a pin at 132-pounds to clinch a 42-38 victory for the Eagles.

The head-to-head rivalry took a two-year break because of poor fan behavior, but the environment inside the arena, with the mat showered by a bright spotlight, was electric.

“This is Belen atmosphere, right here,” Eagles 138-pounder Jayden Padilla said while trying to be heard about the roar as the competition continued nearby.

Padilla, who pinned his opponent, added that wrestling against LLHS, “means a lot to me — our greatest rival. It’s a real honor.”

For many of these wrestlers, the meet was something personal. At 157-pounds, Tigers freshman Caiden Sais admitted to feeling “pressure” as he scored a fall in his first varsity match.

“I had to show up. My dad wrestled at Belen. It’s a big thing for us,” Sais shared.

All of the matches except one were decided by pins.

The evening started with a junior varsity match followed by what is believed to be the first-ever dual meet between the Belen and Los Lunas girls programs, won by the Tigers 48-33.

“I think every (girls) program here in New Mexico is moving forward and growing,” said LoriAnn Archuleta, the first designated girls coach at LLHS.

What Archuleta witnessed was “comradarie” from the athletes.

“The girls were all talking to each other before the match and everything,” said Archuleta. “I think they are more friends,” than rivals. At least for now.

Boys results in order of matches

138: Jayden Padilla, BHS, wins by pin

144: Anthony Scott, LLHS, wins by pin

150: Caiden Sais, LLHS, wins by decision

157: Stephan Ullibari, BHS, wins by pin

165: Thaniel Padilla, LLHS, wins by pin

175: Damion Gomez, BHS, wins by pin

190: Bryant Baca, LLHS, wins by pin

215: Adrian Lovato, BHS, wins by pin

Heavyweight: Ryder Williamson, BHS, wins by pin

106: Maison Carillo, BHS, wins by pin

113: Jacob Maestas, LLHS, wins by pin

120: Nava Gurule, LLHS, wins by pin

126: Mathew Valdez, LLHS, wins by pin

132: Manny Valdez, BHS, wins by pin

Girls results in order of matches

100: LLHS wins by forfeit

105: Marissa Valdez, BHS, wins by pin

110: Hailey Olguin, BHS, wins by decision

115: Olyvia Sanchez, BHS, wins by pin

120: Marley Torrez, BHS, wins by pin

125: Ella Gurule, LLHS, wins by pin

130: Azana Williams, BHS, wins by pin

135: Brooklynn Tafoya, LLHS, wins by pin

140: Lauren Lucero, LLHS, wins by pin

145: Olyvia Ortiz, BHS, wins by forfeit

170: Maribel Borunda, LLHS, wins by forfeit

190: Haidyn Garley, LLHS, wins by forfeit

235: Janie Wheeler, LLHS, wins by pin