Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
The team took 11th in pool play over weekend.
The Tucumcari Rattlers varsity wrestling team has a week of trials ahead with two tough competitions, including a duals competition today at Bernalillo High School in Albuquerque.
“There is very little time left before district competition; we cannot afford to make any stupid mistakes in upcoming matches,” said Rod Dunlap, 138-pound junior.
Dunlap said the team has what its needs to succeed — good techniques and the best conditioning in the state.
“Now is the time for us to show just how much we have progressed from the season,” Dunlap said.
Dunlap was among five Rattler wrestlers who placed in the gold bracket at the Feb. 26-27 Cardinal Classic tournament in Las Vegas.
“This is the first time in our programs history to have five place in the top four of the Cardinal Classic,” said Eddie Encinias, head wrestling coach.
Xavier Garcia 182-pounds, Isaiah Valverde 286-pounds placed third, Dunlap, Joe Martinez 145-pounds and Kaleb Hayes 220-pounds each placed fourth. Simon Ortiz 152-pounds and Dyson Clark 195-pounds finished in the silver bracket.
“I am 80 percent happy with where the team is,” Encinias said. “The other 20 percent is the margin of error that separated our wrestlers from finishing higher.”
Encinias said the Rattlers endured two tough days of competition with five matches in pool play on Friday and five matches on Saturday.
“We finished 11th, competing against programs including Taos, Cobre, Silver City and Los Lunas,” Encinias said.
Encinias said on Saturday the Rattlers will have to be ready to step back on the mats for District duals at Robertson High School in Las Vegas.
“We need to push ourselves without getting into a situation where we could get hurt,” Hayes said. “Each of us has to give it our all, there is only a few days left in the season.”