Aztec Wrestling Nation Newsletter #1 2021 4/12/2021
The year of COVID brings good news and bad news. The bad news is how wrestling programs in and around the county have been affected by this year-long pandemic. Numbers are down, grades, temperament, families and life in general all have been affected. This has given us all problems never before faced. For the good news, we are wrestling once again! The high school and the middle school started practicing on March 29th, with reduced numbers, but nevertheless, practicing. Our youth program has started up again as well, at first on the YFL field, and later this month in the community wrestling room.
The middle school was able to open the season with a smaller than usual wrestling scramble at Lillywhite Gym on Saturday, hosting only 55 total wrestlers. That was all there was, as three schools opted out of wrestling this year due to lack of enough wrestlers.
Middle School Place Winners: no team score kept
93# 8th grader Kohlton Palmer 3rd place
111# 7th grader Tanner Olguin CHAMPION
111# 8th grader Nadyalena Duran (F) 4th place
118# 7th grader Juaquin Duran Runner-up
125# 7th grader Ean Whitaker 4th place
133# 7th grader Michael Colson 3rd place
145# 8th grader Zach Sanders Runner-up
240# 8th grader Clarence Keenom CHAMPION
The High School team will open their season this upcoming Saturday at Miyamura High School in Gallup at the Battle for Honor Duals, in hopes to defend their district title. The season will consist of duals for the next 5 weeks. On May 22nd, Aztec will host the District 1-4A state qualifier meet. This year only the Champion is guaranteed a spot at state. There are 5 districts, so the next 7 wrestlers will be drawn by wild card entries for a total of 12 wrestlers. Each and every dual becomes vitally important to those who will be relying on a wild card draw.
Our girls will once again go to one of two regional tournaments, where the top 4 get to qualify for a total of 8. We will host our 39th Annual High Country Community Credit Union modified Tiger Duals on May 14th or 15th. We return with a mixture of youth and State Place Winners, making it an exciting and rewarding season, as we go after our 4th in a row State Championship. This will be held on one day, Thursday May 27th, at the Star Center in Rio Rancho. The Girls State Championship will be on Saturday the 29th, at the Star Center, as well.
Returning Place Winners and State Qualifiers:
106# 9th grader Bryson Valdez Defending State Champ
120# 12th grader Jaren McBride 3x State Place Winner
132# 12th grader Sammy Minton State Qualifier
152# 12th grader Hunter Riddick State Place Winner
182# 12th grader Malcolm Altisi Defending State Champ
220# 11th grader Brody Dalton State Qualifier
HWT 12th grader Caleb Varzeas Defending State Champ
Girls Returning Place Winners and State Qualifiers:
126# 10th grader Makayla Munoz Defending State Champ
145# 11th grader Princess Altisis Defending State Champ
145# 11th grader Katelin Klepac State Qualifier
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