Former Cavemen wrestler Marcus Najera signs to compete at New Mexico Highlands University
Former Carlsbad High School wrestler Marcus Najera looks to take a winning high school record to New Mexico Highlands University this fall.
He signed a national letter of intent to wrestle for the New Mexico Highlands (NMHU) Cowboys in Las Vegas.
Najera started wrestling in Maryland when he was five years old. His father Michael was in the military and moved around for nearly 20 years before settling in Carlsbad nearly six years.
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The elder Najera coached Marcus on various youth wrestling teams and also served an assistant coach for the Carlsbad High School wrestling team.
Marcus Najera started wrestling for the Cavemen while in eighth grade. He placed sixth in the state wrestling meet.
As each year progressed his finishes were higher, including a second-place finish in the 114 pound division during the 2023 state tournament.
“It was rough at first,” Najera said of his final year wrestling for the Cavemen. “I went up in weight class from 121 to 114. I think I did pretty good overall,” he said.
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Najera finished second at the state tournament in 2022.
Wrestling is a mainstay in the Najera family as Marcus’ older brother Matthew completed his freshman year for the Cowboys in 2023.
According to the NMHU Athletics Department website, the Cowboys finished seventh in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC). Colorado Mesa won the 2023 conference title.
The Cowboys were 7-11 overall and 1-6 in RMAC action in 2023, per the NMHU Athletics Department.
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Cody Cole is the head wrestling coach at NMHU.
The Cowboys had nearly 15 student-athletes from New Mexico competing on the team in 2023.
Marcus Najera said a family familiarity with the Cowboys attracted him to Las Vegas.
“The team is mostly people from New Mexico. My parents know half the people on the wrestling team there,” he said.
Mike Najera said he wanted Marcus to attend NMHU even though other schools were looking at him.
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“I really wanted him to wrestle his brother. Matching up they can really push each other,” he added.
The elder Najera wrestled during his time in the military and passed that knowledge and training to his sons.
“Wrestling is very tough and mentally exhausting. I was trained that way. I wrestled for a (military) post team for a couple of years,” he said.
Marcus Najera said he likes to wrestle on his feet as opposed to wrestling an opponent on the mat.
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Before a match he generally prepares by walking around and listening to music.
Some of his goals as an incoming freshman include helping the Cowboys claim an RMAC title and winning some matches.
Marcus Najera plans to major in elementary education at NMHU with a possibility of coaching younger youths in wrestling after graduation.
Mike Smith can be reached at 575-628-5546 or by email at MSmith@currentargus.com or @ArgusMichae on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: Cavemen Marcus Najera wrestles at New Mexico Highlands University
