13 Rattlers make state tournament

The Tucumcari Rattlers wrestling team have 13 members heading to state competition this weekend at the Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho.

"Everything has been leading up to this, it's time for them to leave it all out on the mat," said Eddie Encinias, Rattlers head coach.

Encinias said he is excited about the team's chances this weekend following Saturday's District 2-4A open wrestling tournament at the Snake Pit.

The Rattlers came away with one district champion, two district runner-ups and eight top five placers.

Rattlers Isaiah Valverde, 285-pound senior, defeated Saint Michael's Tayo Regenold for the district championship via pin-fall in the closing seconds of the final period.

"I knew that I had to score or pin him," Valverde said. "Once I had him locked up, I dug down deep knowing I could not let him go."

Encinias said the Rattlers have a short week to address that 20 percent, that last remaining doubt or lack of focus.

"We had a few matches that should have had a different outcome," Encinias said. "These guys will need to be 100 percent mentally prepared."

Sophomore Julian Vargas' mental focus was tested in his third place 132 pound match against Robertsons Secudino Martinez.

Trailing with less than 30 seconds in the match, Vargas was able to score to force overtime.

"We need to maintain the peak, stay on top of our wrestling game," said Rattlers Sophomore Joe Martinez.

Martinez, who placed third in the 145-pound class said everyone just needs to be ready to wrestle.

Rattlers sophomore A'leaya Lucero will experience a set of first competing this weekend at the state tournament.

Lucero won't just be taking part in her first state tournament she will be a part of the New Mexico Activities Association's first girls' wrestling tournament.

The girls only exhibition will run in conjunction with 2018 New Mexico National Guard State Wrestling Championships at Rio Rancho.

"I am very excited to take part in this tournament," Lucero said. "For the first time it's going to be a level playing field."

At 121-pounds, Lucero is the only girl who competed throughout the Rattlers season.

"At times I thought the guys had the upper hand in competitions," Lucero said. "This tournament has provided equal grounds for me to compete."

According to weight assessment data, Lucero is among 115 girls participating in wrestling across the state. Lucero will represent Tucumcari out of a total of 38 high schools competing in the tournament.

There will be eight weight classes (101, 106, 111, 121, 131, 143, 160, 185) with eight girls per weight participating in the combined-classification exhibition tournament.

Tucumcari state wrestling qualifiers

First place: Isaiah Valverde, 285 lb.

Second place: Kaleb Hayes, 220 lb.; Xavier Garcia, 182 lb.

Third place: Joe Martinez 145, lb.; Rod Dunlap, 138 lb.; Charlie Prieto, 113 lb.

Fourth place: Colt Garcia, 170 lb.; Ricky Montano, 106 lb.

Fifth place: Caleb White, 126 lb.

Automatic girls tournament qualifier: A'leaya Lucero, 121 lb.