Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
Tucumcari standout wrestler Fernando Ureste notched six more victories during last weekend’s nine-team Cardinal Classic Duals at Robertson High School in Las Vegas.
Ureste, a sophomore in the 133-pound weight class, emerged triumphant in dual-match bouts against athletes from Robertson, Raton, Bernalillo, Cleveland, Miyamura and the Cleveland junior varsity.
Tucumcari’s Josh Pacheco won five bouts during the tournament in the 145-pound class, losing only to Cleveland’s James Luttrell.
Antonio Gonzales also won five matches for THS in the 172-pound class, losing only Cleveland’s Benjamin Valencia.
“We did all right,” Tucumcari coach Tim Clark said. “The people who won we figured would win. I’m pleased with all of the kids.”
The Rattlers as a team went 3-3 at the tourney, defeating Bernalillo 60-16, Robertson 48-30 and Raton 54-12. THS lost to Miyamura 48-30, Cleveland 63-12 and the Cleveland JV 54-23.
Cleveland won dominated the team standings, with its junior varsity logging 309 points and the varsity 294.
Clark said Cleveland probably is the top-ranked team in all of Class 5A.
Hobbs finished third with 256 points. Tucumcari finished fifth with 227 points.
In girls action at the tournament, Tucumcari’s Sarah Vallejo and MiKayla Klinger each finished second in their weight classes.
Vallejo, wrestling in the 114-120 division, lost only to Miyamura’s Lorianna Piestewa.
Clark said Piestewa has won every tournament she’s entered this season.
“She’s a stud,” he said. “Sarah gave her a battle. I can’t complain.”
Klinger, in the 145-152 class, lost only to Miyamura’s Shundean Halkini while competing against bigger-enrollment schools.
The THS boys team will compete in dual meets Saturday at Ruidoso that will decide the district title. Tucumcari, the defending champion, will face Del Norte, Valley, Albuquerque Academy and the host team. The Rattlers already defeated district foe Bernalillo on Saturday.