Rattler wrestlers take on Pecos

By Thomas Garica

QCS Senior Writer

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The Tucumcari Rattlers wrestling will continue their drive to winning district Saturday as they compete at Pecos.

“We are close to where we want to be but are waiting to peak at the right time,” said Eddie Encinias, Rattlers head coach.

Encinias said the Rattlers have a very good chance at winning district this year, and the team is farther along in their conditioning than they have been in previous years at this time.

“We have some wrestlers that are banged and missed sometimes, but we are on track,” Encinias said.

Rattlers heavy weight Isaiah Valverde won the 285-pound championship on Jan. 7 at Saint Michael’s tournament in Santa Fe.

Encinias said the Rattlers had several close matches that should have gone the other way. He said some wrestlers have had better matches, and some just lost due to a mistake.

The Rattlers had four wrestlers place fourth at Saint Michael’s. Those wrestlers were Jonathan Clark at 126 pounds, Julian Vargas at 132 pounds, Elias Ortiz at 145 pounds and Xavier Garcia at 170 pounds.

“Some of the wrestlers need to think outside the box when they get into a jam on the mat,” Encinias said. “They are the ones out there, not me; I tell them time and time again It’s all them; I just coach.”

Encinias said while the wrestlers are on the match, he does not want to scream out to many suggestions. He said when you scream out at the wrestler, it’s almost like giving them an advance notice of what they are about to try.

“These wrestlers are working and pushing themselves hard to get better,” Encinias said. “I have every confidence they will continue to improve as district approaches.”