SHS wrestlers shine at State Championships

Eleven Socorro wrestlers traveled to Rio Rancho to compete in the NM State Championships this past weekend. The SHS Warriors and Lady Warriors battled for two days at the Rio Rancho Events Center, on Friday, Feb. 20, and Saturday, Feb. 21. Five of those eleven wrestlers placed in this year’s championships.

Kade McNeil (144) finished as the state runner-up. Mycah Gachupin of St. Pius X, a senior with a 42-2 record, defeated McNeil, a 30-5 sophomore, in the first place match by a 4-1 decision. McNeil had earned his 100th career victory on Friday, Feb. 20, in his first bout of day one of the championships. 

Estevan Robles (113): fifth place. Robles (26-8), a freshman, beat sophomore David Sedillo (34-16) of Belen with a 2-1 decision on Saturday in the fifth place match.

Marius Lucero (120): fifth place. The sophomore Lucero (31-11) won against Jorgen Booth of Valencia (31-11), a junior, by a 9-2 decision.

Isiah Estrada (126): sixth place. Isaiah Ruiz of Bernalillo (26-6), a junior, over Isiah Estrada (24-6), also a junior (M. For.).

Arasely Moreno (100): sixth place. Amber Gutierrez, a senior from Miyamura (33-6), over the junior Moreno (21-8) by forfeit.

The Socorro wrestling program had already produced 15 state champions and 32 state placers prior to this season. They have now upped the state placers total to 37. None of these five state placers are graduating seniors, so the program has a very bright future. 

The seven Warriors who had qualified for state were Estevan Robles, Marius Lucero, Miguel Montano, Isiah Estrada, Kade McNeil, Kason Vanlandingham and Julian Aldrich. The four Lady Warriors who also competed in the NM State Championships are Arasely Moreno, Kalena Vanlandingham, Maria Ruiz Jaquez and Tatum Rosales.

See complete results for the championships at www.trackwrestling.com or www.flowrestling.org (search “New Mexico” in events and look for the championships or search for “Socorro” among the teams).