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Four days of wrestling at Socorro High School
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The Warrior and Junior Warrior wrestling programs held events four days in a row at Socorro High School this past week, from Jan. 8-11. The competitive tournaments provided great team bonding and learning experiences for the Socorro wrestlers as they prepare for district competition later this month.
“This week isn’t just about winning. Every match I always learn something new.” Lady Warrior Tatum Rosales said.
Thursday, Jan. 8: SHS hosted Aztec and Cleveland H.S.
Cleveland beat Aztec first and then went on to beat the Warriors, but Kade McNeil earned 6 team points for the Warriors with a pin in his match.
Friday, Jan. 9: Lady Warriors Invite.
The Lady Warriors hosted several other teams for their Lady Warriors Invite Tournament. The bouts began after a 2-hour delay due to inclement weather that affected some of the visiting teams. Some of the Lady Warriors enjoyed the extra time to rest in the morning, and the tournament went smoothly once it got going. Members of the boys wrestling team were there all day as well to work the tables and support the Lady Warriors.
Four Lady Warriors placed in their tournament: Maria Ruiz Jaquez, second; Kalena Vanlandingham, third; Arasely Moreno, third; Tatum Rosales, third.
“Sometimes winning means having your parents by your side all the time no matter what during a match,” Maria Ruiz Jaquez said.
Saturday, Jan. 10: Sammy Vivian Invite boys wrestling tournament.
Next up were the boys, with a one-day rest after Thursday’s wrestling matches. Members of the girls wrestling team switched roles and were there all day Saturday to work the tables and support the Warriors. The team mentality across the entire Socorro wrestling program was visible throughout the tournaments and certainly helps produce results.
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"Overall the guys took sixth with 96 points out of 15 teams," Coach James McNeil said.
Five Socorro wrestlers placed in Sammy Vivian Invite: Kade McNeil, champion; Estevan Robles, third; Marius Lucero, third; Kason Vanlandingham, fourth; Julian Aldrich, fourth.
“This is the highest I’ve placed in a tournament.” Kason Vanlandingham said about his performance at the Sammy Vivian Invite, which had very high levels of competition. “I’m excited to get more matches in and be ready for state.”
A Socorro graduate and product of the Warrior wrestling program was refereeing for the tournament. Ayden Lewis wrestled in Socorro from 2017 to 2021, graduated in 2021 and was second place at the wrestling state championship that year. He is now attending UNM, double majoring in accounting and marketing.
“It went well, I feel very confident with my skills as an official. Some of the kids I used to drill with in the room, doing 5 a.m. practices and such-and now I’m raising their hands. So, you could say the sport has really come full-circle for me. I come by and coach from time to time as well. Being back here takes me back to my roots for sure, it’s weird but it’s nice.” Lewis said.
Sunday, Jan. 11: Warrior Warfare junior wrestling tournament.
The biggest event of all the wrestling days came last. The tournament had 21 teams listed on trackwrestling.com, packed the parking lots and had bouts going from 9 a.m. to about 2 p.m. The Socorro Warrior Jr. wrestling team finished sixth with 186.5 points.
“It went perfectly. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Everything went perfectly. It was a really good turnout: parents, wrestling kids, grandparents, cousins, aunts, whatever [relation],” Socorro wrestling legend Sammy Vivian said.
Members of the Warriors and Lady Warriors were there on Sunday to help run the event by working the tables, refing and cleaning up afterwards. While helping to wrap things up and clean up when the junior wrestlers were finishing, Warrior Julian Aldrich commented on future events in the wrestling season.
“I’m excited for going up to the duals in Farmington. Honestly, I’m really excited for state.” Aldrich said.
SHS Wrestling upcoming schedule:
1/16-17 Clash at the Coliseum in Farmington, hosted by Aztec Wrestling, starting at 9 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 16.
1/21 at home versus Roswell, time TBA.
1/23 at home versus Belen, 4 p.m.
1/30 District Duals at home, 11 a.m.
“Live every day like it’s your last.” Warrior Marius Lucero said.
