Rattler wrestlers take wins on road

The Tucumcari wrestling team gained the upper hand in district competition with two dual victories Wednesday on the road against host St. Michael’s and Wingate.

The Rattlers defeated St. Michael’s 53-28 and Wingate 60-30 in team points to move to a district-leading 3-0 record. The Rattlers are 7-2 overall on the season.

Tucumcari wrestlers who won both of their individual matches including Rod Dunlap (wrestling at 145 pounds), Joe Martine (160), Kaleb Hayes (220), Dyson Clark (195), Ricky Montano (113) and Caleb White (138).

Dunlap remains undefeated this season with a 13-0 record.

Tucumcari coach Eddie Encinias said he saw encouraging things from the squad Wednesday.

“We were more aggressive,” Encinias said. “I told the kids at practice Monday, ‘We have to be aggressive.’ Even when we’re at practice, when they’re giong against their own buddies, I tell them, ‘Quit brother-in-lawing it; get after your buddy.’ Some of these guys are so good, they take it for granted.”

Encinias sees room for improvement.

“The little things still need to be taken care of,” Encinias said. “We’ve got to get out of that box. The guys just want to wrestle one way all the time, and it will catch up to you. They need to do different things, especially if they’re wrestling a guy the second time around. Change it up a little bit.”

The only remaining district foes for Tucumcari are Newcomb and Robertson.

“I think it’s going to be a race to the end,” Encinias said about district competition.

The team is off until Jan. 4-5, when it goes back to St. Michael’s for the Al Salazar Memorial Invitational.