SHS Wrestling teams 

Socorro had two wrestlers place at the Conflict at Cleveland event in Rio Rancho this past weekend, Jan. 2-3. Isiah Estrada and Kade McNeil each placed sixth in their weight categories. The Conflict at Cleveland is a huge wrestling meet, with 80 boys teams and 75 girls teams competing. 

SHS wrestling Head Coach Joel Partridge said that the Conflict at Cleveland event is tougher than state because of the number of teams and the level of competition. Teams and wrestlers from schools of all sizes are facing off against each other. The event provides a great opportunity to gain experience in the early part of the season as the teams prepare for district and state competition.

“Qualify as many girls and boys as we possibly can and try to bring home a top three finish,” Partridge said of the teams' goals for the season.

Partridge started out as an assistant coach for the Socorro youth wrestling program in 2008, became head coach for that program in 2012, and then became head coach at SHS in 2017. His years of dedication to the sport also show a strong commitment to the community.

“Helping guide the next generation of Warriors to become strong young men and women in our community.” Partridge said of what he likes best about coaching wrestling. “We are proud to be from Socorro.”

Socorro is in Class 4A for wrestling, even though it is 3A for other sports. In wrestling, all school sizes Class A to 4A, about 42 schools, are put together in Class 4A, while all larger schools are in Class 5A. The Warriors have been undefeated 4A District champions for four straight years, starting in the 2021/2022 season. 

"That's a big deal to us. It's real hard to do that, Partridge said. "Our kids are really good.”

The Socorro wrestling program has produced 15 state champions and 32 state placers. The Warriors team was third place in the state in the 2020/21 season and second place in the 2021/22 season.

Partridge describes his wrestlers as “very committed, hard working and tough.” The only weakness he sees in his team is from a bug going around that affected almost everyone at the same time.

“Just getting over the common sickness and getting on the mat has proven to be the hardest obstacle to overcome," Partridge said.

The Socorro wrestling team had their Blue versus White Wrestle-Off at SHS on Wednesday, Dec. 10, then they had their first meet of the season at the Las Cruces Invite on Dec. 12-13. They cancelled their second scheduled meet of the season, the Colorado XMas in Greeley, Colo., due to several wrestlers being sick at that time.

Rosters:

SHS girls wrestling:

Kiara Martinez, Lucie “Max” DeVries, Mariana Perez, Iliana Perez, Kalena Vanlandingham, Maria Ruiz Jaquez, Alexa Moreno, Arasely Moreno and Tatum Rosales.

Head Coach James McNeil

SHS boys wrestling:

Silvano Heras, Marius Lucero, Miguel Montano, Isiah Estrada, Micah Burleson, Ruben Gonzales, Kade McNeil, Kason Vanlandingham, Patrick McBride, Julian Aldrich, Julian Adcock, Lucas Lopez Saavedra, Johnaven Robles and Jeremiyah Moya.

Assistant coaches Chris Rottman and David Gutierrez.

Schedule:

1/02-03 Conflict at Cleveland at the Rio Rancho Events Center.

1/08 at home versus Aztec and Cleveland, 5 p.m.

1/09 at home: Lady Warriors Invite, 9 a.m.

1/10 at home: Sammy Vivian Invite, 9 a.m.

1/15 at home versus Belen, 6 p.m.

1/16-17 Clash at the Coliseum in Farmington, starting at 9 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 16. 

1/21 at home versus Roswell, time TBA.

2/6-7 Girls Regionals in Roswell, times TBA.

2/13-14 Boys Region 2 Championships in Santa Teresa, times TBA.

2/20-21 State meet at the Rio Rancho Events Center, times TBA.