Battle for Glory: Highlights from the 2023-24 NMAA State Wrestling Tournament
The curtain fell on the 2023-24 High School wrestling season this past weekend at the Rio Rancho Events Center for the NMAA State Tournament, marking the end of four months of rigorous training.
The culmination of blood, sweat and tears brought the best young wrestlers to the ultimate challenge of vying for gold on the mat.
Folkstyle wrestling, in contrast to the spectacle of WWE or Smackdown, is a world of its own. The roar of the crowd, the echoing whistles, and the palpable intensity set it apart.
The bonds forged, friendships created, and respect earned in wrestling surpass those of any other sport. The unmatched discipline instilled in these athletes is a testament to wrestling's unique status.
Until experienced firsthand as an athlete, parent, coach, or fan, it's challenging to comprehend the resilience and commitment demanded at this level.
The local Las Cruces area high schools, with 48 qualified wrestlers, made a notable impact at the state tournament. Despite the southern part of the state wrestling scene losing notoriety, the resurgence in the Las Cruces area was evident in the number of qualifiers and their results.
Several promising female athletes faced heartbreak, like Nissie Frazier, Rylie Spires, Anabel Padilla, Aliyah Salas, Autiana Caro, Hannia Villegas, Nyeema Dragonetti-Nahle, and others who, despite their valiant efforts, fell short of reaching Day 2 of the tournament.
The hope is to see them back on the mat next season, and congratulations are extended to the hardworking seniors who left it all on the mat.
On the boys' side, athletes from Centennial, Las Cruces, Mayfield, and Organ Mountain faced tough competition. Despite not making it to the medal rounds, these wrestlers exhibited strength and determination.
Collectively, the Bulldawgs took 6th place as a team in the boys division. Individually, these irrepressible local athletes brought home seven medals in the boys' division and six medals in the girls' division. Here are some of the noteworthy achievements:
In his final opportunity, Las Cruces High School Senior Zavier Udero secured a spot on the podium, clinching a 6th place medal and concluding his illustrious career with 102 victories.
Udero initiated his campaign with a decisive 9-4 victory over West Mesa, propelling him to the quarterfinals. Unfortunately, he faced a setback in the quarterfinal match against the eventual champion, Jonathon Romero from Volcano Vista, succumbing to a second-period pin.
Undeterred, Udero rebounded in the consolation rounds, notching major decision triumphs against Carlsbad and a pin against La Cueva.
Despite a valiant effort, he suffered a 6-0 defeat in the consolation semifinal round to the eventual 3rd place finisher from Capital. Determined to leave a lasting impression, Udero contested Nathaniel Lujan from Roswell for the fifth-place position.
Regrettably, Lujan secured the victory with a second-period pin. Known for his excellence on the football field as well, Udero's dual success in both sports marked a remarkable journey. His 6th place finish served as a fitting conclusion to his Senior year, and his leadership will undoubtedly be missed in the Bulldawg wrestling room.
Bulldawg sophomore and formidable 160-pound wrestler, as well as standout football player, Daniel Amaro, secured a 6th place medal in the competition. Commencing his journey with a first-round victory by fall over Sandia at the close of the first period, he advanced to the quarterfinals. However, in a closely contested match, he faced defeat against the eventual runner-up, Conner Cole of Volcano Vista.
Not phased by the loss, Amaro rebounded in the consolation rounds, impressively pinning both Cleveland and Rio Rancho. His path took a turn against the eventual 4th-place finisher, Piedra Vista, but Amaro's persistence shone through. Bringing home the 6th place medal, he faced a third-period loss to Logan Cambridge of Farmington.
Amaro's tenacity, evident on the football field, proved even more remarkable on the wrestling mat, showcasing his skill in both sports.
More: The road to state: Wrestlers fiercely battle during NMAA Boys Regional Tournament
Freshman Alessio Cisneros from Las Cruces High School left a lasting mark in the 189-pound division, securing the 6th place medal. Cisneros began his quest with a notable pin in the second period against Carlsbad, propelling him to the quarterfinals.
In a challenging quarterfinal bout against Senior Diego Delgado from Piedra Vista, who had previously pinned him twice in the season, Alessio, although falling short of victory, earned Delgado's respect by taking the match to the end with a 6-0 decision win.
Unfazed, Cisneros exhibited unwavering determination, achieving triumphs with pins against West Mesa and Roswell in his subsequent two matches. In the consolation semifinals, he faced the No. 1 seed, Michael Santos from Rio Rancho, aiming to avenge his early season 3-1 loss at the Silver City Duals.
The Rio Rancho Senior and Cisneros engaged in a thrilling sudden victory period, after an 8-8 tie at the end of regulation. However, Santos quickly capitalized on a takedown after the restart when Cisneros went for the takedown and Santos ran out of bounds.
Despite the loss to Santos, Cisneros entered the 5th/6th place match against another Senior from Cleveland High School. Although the match went the distance, he unfortunately lost by a 4-0 decision.
Placing as a freshman is a noteworthy accomplishment, signaling a bright future for this talented wrestler. With the potential to become a powerhouse for the Bulldawgs in the heavier weights, Alessio's prowess is expected to extend to the football field as well.
Mateo Montoya, a determined sophomore competing in the 152-pound division, proudly secured a fifth-place medal for the Bulldawgs. Montoya's journey to the medal rounds unfolded uniquely, facing an initial setback as he lost his first match with a pin just 18 seconds before its conclusion.
Montoya showcased perseverance in the consolation rounds, claiming victory in the next three matches against Cibola (via injury default), Los Lunas (pin), and West Mesa (major decision).
The consolation semi-finals, however, posed a challenge, and Montoya faced a pin defeat against Santa Fe wrestler Tomas Martinez. Undaunted by the setback, Montoya advanced to the 5th/6th place match against Volcano Vista, where he engaged in a hard-fought battle for a close 3-2 decision victory.
Overcoming the difficulty of bouncing back from a first-round loss, Mateo demonstrated admirable resolve, working hard and grinding it out to secure a commendable fifth-place finish.
In the 145-pound division, Organ Mountain senior Dante Moralez concluded his high school wrestling career with a well-deserved fourth-place medal. Dante's journey began with a victory in his first match, securing a pin against Farmington.
However, he faced a challenge in the quarterfinals, losing to the eventual runner-up, Jonathan Pacheco from Atrisco Heritage. Moralez showcased his grit on the backside of the bracket, accumulating victories against Los Lunas with a dominant 14-6 major decision, Rio Rancho with a 5-2 decision, and a convincing 8-3 decision over La Cueva.
These triumphs earned Dante a spot in the 3rd/4th place match against James Luttrell from Cleveland. Despite his best efforts, Moralez experienced a setback, ultimately losing by technical fall in the second period and concluding his tournament with a fourth-place finish.
In the 215-pound division, senior Kash Alley of the Las Cruces Bulldawgs secured a praiseworthy fourth-place medal in the state tournament. Kash demonstrated his fortitude by winning his first match with a pin over Rio Rancho and advancing to the quarterfinals with an 18-14 decision victory against Orlando Molina of Albuquerque High.
Despite a setback in the semi-final match against the eventual State Champion, Mason Posa from La Cueva, Kash displayed toughness in the consolation semifinals, securing a pin against Piedra Vista. The day concluded with a challenging match against Micah Martinez from Cleveland, who pinned Kash in the second period.
More: Las Cruces area high school wrestlers grapple for glory in NMAA Girls Regional Tournament
Kash's wrestling career comes to an end with an impressive record of 126 wins and two state placings. Beyond his achievements on the mat, Kash will be remembered for his infectious smile and cool attitude, leaving a void that will be felt in the wrestling room.
In his debut varsity season, 8th grader Kolby Gonzalez, representing Las Cruces High School in the 139-pound division, concluded with a noteworthy third-place finish. Kolby showcased his skill by winning his first-round match against cross-town rival Chase Kaufman from Mayfield with a fall at the 2:38 mark.
Although he faced a 5-3 decision loss in the quarterfinals against Justin Owens of Carlsbad, Kolby bounced back in remarkable fashion. Gonzalez secured victory in his next four consecutive matches, ultimately earning the bronze medal.
He executed a first-period pin against Martinez of Atrisco Heritage, followed by a second-period pin against Cordova from Los Lunas. In a dominant performance, Kolby won by a major decision (11-1) against McCoy from Piedra Vista.
The culmination of his stellar performance came in the 3rd place match, a rematch against Justin Owens. Kolby avenged his quarterfinal loss with a stunning 11-2 major decision, solidifying his well-deserved bronze medal.
In the girls' division, Trojan Heavyweight Senior Franki Buenrostro concluded her wrestling career with an elated 6th place finish, overcoming a challenging hip injury that persisted throughout most of the season. Despite the adversity, Franki began her tournament by securing a victory in her first match with a fall over Wingate early in the second period.
The quarterfinal match proved difficult, resulting in a pin by Caylee Miller of Bloomfield. Determined to not end her senior season early, Buenrostro displayed resilience in the consolation rounds, securing wins over Sandia and Piedra Vista with pins over both opponents.
Unfortunately, in the consolation semifinals, her lingering injury led to a defeat against Alexis Chavez from Del Norte. This setback sent Franki to the 5th/6th place match against Anaya Lee from Farmington. Despite a couple of stops for injury time and a closely contested 2-2 match, Lee secured a late takedown and a last-second pin, marking the end of Buenrostro's career as a 6th place medalist.
In the 107 girls division, Bulldawg freshman Emberlyn Atma secured a respectable 5th-place finish. Emberlyn faced a challenging start, wrestling back from a tough first-round, third-period loss to Emily Saiz of Aztec.
Atma navigated the backside of the brackets with determination, sealing up victories over Cleveland (11-4 decision), Volcano Vista (10-6 decision), and Los Alamos (6-4 decision), earning her spot in the consolation semifinals. In a closely contested match, Emberlyn unfortunately lost to Albuquerque Academy Junior Maile Maldonado by a second period pin.
Despite this setback, Atma concluded her tournament in the 5th/6th place match, where she secured a win by forfeit over Elena Cordova of Rio Rancho, ultimately finishing in 5th place. Mayfield Senior Mia Aguilera concluded her wrestling career with a commendable fifth-place finish in the 145 girls division.
In the first round, Mia exhibited her skill, securing a decision victory over Khyuna White of Farmington with a 5-2 score. Despite facing a tough quarterfinal match against Volcano Vista, resulting in a third-period pin, Aguilera showcased a winning attitude. Mia battled her way back to the medal rounds by pinning her next two opponents from Hobbs (2:27) and Gadsden (3:32).
However, the consolation semi-final round proved challenging, with Neviah Varela-Marquez of Sandia handing her a loss by major decision. Undaunted, Mia fought back in the 5th place match, securing a 7-0 decision victory over Lauren Manuelito of Volcano Vista bringing home some hardware for the Trojans.
Centennial senior Emely Gilrease secured a respectable 4th place medal for the Hawks in her wrestling endeavors. She commenced her tournament with a first-round victory, dominating with a 17-7 major decision over her opponent from West Mesa.
Emely continued her success in the quarterfinals, where she triumphed over Sydney Koranyi of Albuquerque Academy with a late fall in the third period. Although faced with a challenging semi-final match that resulted in a pin by the eventual runner-up from Atrisco Heritage, Emely showcased resolve in the consolation semifinals.
There, she secured a pin over Sandia in the third period, setting the stage for a re-match with Koranyi for the 3rd/4th place. In this encounter, however, Koranyi emerged victorious with a 12-1 major decision, concluding Emely's tournament.
Organ Mountain Senior Bethany Sanchez experienced a heart-wrenching championship match in an ultimate tie-breaker against Chelsea Rivera of Volcano Vista in the 215 division. Despite the tough loss, Bethany showcased her skills and strength throughout the tournament, winning all three of her matches by decision to reach the finals on Saturday night.
In the first round, Sanchez secured a hard-fought 5-4 decision victory over Schlinger from Robertson. The quarterfinals saw her triumph over cross-town rival Aliyah Salas from Centennial with a 7-2 decision.
Moving into the semifinals, Bethany faced a capable opponent in Alissa Deyapp from Farmington and emerged victorious in the universal tie-breaker, earning her place in the championship match. As a two-time state placer for the Knights, Bethany had previously brought home the bronze last year, adding to her accomplished wrestling achievement.
Bulldawg junior and now a three-time State Champion from Las Cruces High School, Alyssa Sedillo, successfully defended her title to reclaim the top spot on the podium, earning the gold medal. Alyssa displayed dominance throughout the tournament, winning all her matches by pins and boasting only one loss for the season.
Sedillo secured her Champion title by skillfully pinning her opponents — Bella Chavez from Ruidoso (2:48), Olivia Grobecker from Volcano Vista (1:07), Estefanie Nayarez from Atrisco Heritage (1:05), and Isabel Irvin from Artesia (3:13). With these victories, Alyssa accomplished a remarkable three-peat as the 100-pound State Champion.
The season proved to be exceptional for the Bulldawgs, Hawks, Knights, and Trojans, reflecting their tremendous efforts and dedication. The hard work and commitment of these athletes were evident in every match, showcasing their skill and unwavering love for the sport.
Coaches, parents, and fans of these local wrestlers take pride in the commitment displayed throughout the season and eagerly anticipate the promising future that lies ahead for our local wrestling programs.
This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: Highlights from the 2023-24 NMAA State Wrestling Tournament
