Rattlers wrestlers to compete Saturday in Taos

The Tucumcari Rattlers wrestling team has one last event, the district open tournament, to qualify individuals for 4-A state competition.

“As a coach, all you can do is watch and see the progress each wrestler has made up to this point,” said Eddie Encinias, head coach.

The Rattlers will compete Saturday at the individual tournament at Taos.

Last weekend, the Rattlers finished in third place at the 4-A-District 2 duels at Las Vegas.

Encinias said the team could have finished second if freshman Joseph Martinez, 138 pounds, and junior Elias Ortiz, 132 pounds, had wrestled. He said despite finishing third behind Robertson and Taos, it was the right decision to not have Martinez wrestle.

Martinez’ injury has him out for the rest of the year, and I would rather have him be safe than further injure himself, Encinias added.

“It’s not just about wrestling and winning; it's about the health of the athlete,” Encinias said. “I would rather have Joseph heal properly and be back next year at full strength.”

Encinias said Martinez is a great athlete and will be an important member of the team in the future. He said the other wrestlers are going to have to step up.

“We have to give it our all; if we don’t qualify for state, then all of our work was for nothing,” said Antonio Norton Jr., a 195-pound senior.

Norton said this is the last chance for him and fellow senior Michael Shelton to compete for a chance at a state championship.

“We’ve got to leave it all out on the mat,” Shelton said. “This is it; there are no more events, no more tournaments.”

Encinias said he is confident that the team will qualify all 14 of their wrestlers.

“It’s all on them; it's the fun time of the year,” Encinias said .”We will all get to see the product of their dedication and hard work.”