Rattlers produce wrestling state champ

The Tucumcari Rattlers wrestling season ended with one state champion, a top-five team finish and an exciting outlook for the future of the program.

“It feels good to go out on top,” said Isaiah Valverde, who won the 285-pound division.

Valverde said his success through his years as a Rattler wrestler in large part due to the support of his coach, family and teammates. He said he would not have had half of the drive out on the mats if it wasn’t for those who supported him along the way.

“Dedication got me their half of the way; their belief in me took me the rest of the way,” Valverde said.

Valverde, who finished the season 35-3, said the year may have ended with a state championship but there is one match he would like back.

“I lost to a wrestler from Farmington by one point,” Valverde said. “I know I could have tied or even won that match if given another chance.”

Valverde is one of three seniors leaving the Rattlers at the end of this year. The others are Simon Ortiz at 145 pounds (22-20) and Xavier Garcia at 182 pounds (29-10). Garcia finished fourth at state.

“It wasn’t how I wanted it to end, but I gave it my all,” Garcia said.

Garcia said he was injured in the semifinals, after an opponent rolled on his ankle in the second period. He said he was able to win the match and advance to the third place match but had to forfeit.

“These guys have been tremendous leaders this year,” said Eddie Encinias, Rattlers head coach.

Encinias said the team is losing three strong leaders, but the young wrestlers stepping up into that roll showed a lot of promise this season.

“I am going to spend my summer working on getting stronger and improving my technique,” said Kaleb Hayes 220-pound junior.

Hayes placed third at state and had a record of 27-12.

“I am going to call on Xavier and Is to work with me during the summer,” Hayes said. “Both Xavier and Isaiah have helped me so much during the season.”

Junior Rod Dunlap said he plans to get into the weight room over the summer and work on his technique. Dunlap finished the season placing fourth at state with a record of 29-15.

“I am excited with how the season ended,” Dunlap said. “Now I need to work harder to win a state championship next year.”

Encinias said the team finished fifth in 4-A state tournament, “this is a major accomplishment considering we are the smallest 3-A school in the program.”

The Rattlers had 12 compete at the boys state tournament. One Rattlers wrestler 121-pound A’Leaya Lucero competed in the inaugural girls state wrestling tournament.

“I am so excited to have been part of history,” Lucero said. “My name will be among those who participated in this first ever event.”

Lucero said she felt her performance at state could have been stronger.

“I definitely want to get stronger and go back to compete,” Lucero said.

Encinias said with the added interest and participation in the middle school program, the excitement and prospects of the returning varsity program the future looks bright.

“I am just the guy who opens up the gym for these amazing athletes,” Encinias said. “They are the ones who have made this year and the future a success.”