Socorro warrior wrestlers show grit and bring home gold

The road to state is a brutal gauntlet, forged in sweat, sacrifice, and an unyielding fire for the sport. For the Socorro Warriors, the 2025 NMAA Wrestling Tournament wasn’t just another competition—it was the crucible, the ultimate test against New Mexico’s wrestling elite. Eleven warriors, eight boys and three girls, having clawed their way through regionals and qualifiers, stood poised on the precipice of glory, ready to seize the ultimate prize.

And seize it they did. Of those eleven warriors, three emerged as champions, etching their names in Socorro wrestling history. Sasha Gonzalez, a force of nature, captured her second consecutive championship title in the Girls 120lb weight class! Isiah Estrada, a picture of focused intensity, mirrored her feat, seizing his second straight gold in the 4A Boys 121lb division. And then there was David Gutierrez Jr., a titan among heavyweights, who not only claimed gold but cemented his legacy with his third state championship in the Boys 285lb weight class.

The electrifying atmosphere of the tournament filled Friday and Saturday as the Warriors took to the mats. The results that followed showcased their grit, determination, and the heart of a champion.

Isiah Estrada (121 lbs): Had a phenomenal tournament, ultimately taking 1st place. He dominated his opponents, winning by fall in the first two rounds and the semi-final, and then securing the championship with a decision in the final match. He earned a significant 27.5 team points. His impressive 42-7 record reflects a strong season.

Marius Lucero (114 lbs): Started strong with a quick pin in his first match. However, he then faced tough competition, losing by technical fall in the quarterfinals and then by fall in the consolation round. He earned 4 team points. His final record stands at 27-18.

Johnaven Robles (107 lbs): Had a more challenging tournament. He lost his opening match by major decision but battled back with two wins in the consolation rounds, one by fall and one by ultimate tiebreaker. He was then eliminated with a loss by decision. He also earned 4 team points. His final record is 20-20.

Kason Vanlandingham (152 lbs): had a short tournament. He lost both of his matches by fall, the first in 1:13 and the second (in the consolation round) in just 0:49. He did not score any team points, and his final record is 14-21.

Patrick Ware Moya: (145 lbs) had a solid tournament, finishing in 4th place and earning 18 team points. He started with a win by fall but then lost his quarterfinal match, also by fall. He battled back strong in the consolation rounds, winning three straight matches (two by fall and one by decision) to advance to the consolation semi-final. He then lost the 3rd place match by fall. His final record is 22-15.

Kade McNeil: (160 lbs): Finished in 5th place, earning 14.5 team points. He started strong with two wins, one by fall and one by tech fall, but then lost in the semi-final and consolation semi-final. He bounced back to win his 5th place match by fall. His final record is 39-11.

Julian Aldrich (215 lbs): Won his first match by fall but then lost his quarterfinal match, also by fall. He was then eliminated in the consolation round by technical fall. He earned 4 team points and finished with a 24-16 record.

David Gutierrez (285 lbs): Dominated his weight class, taking 1st place and earning a whopping 30 team points. He won all four of his matches by fall, with impressive quick pins in the first two rounds. His final record is an excellent 40-2.

Arasely Moreno: (100 lbs): Finished in 4th place, earning 16 team points. She won her first two matches (one by fall and one by decision) but lost in the semi-final by fall. She won her consolation semi-final by fall but then lost the 3rd place match by decision. Her final record is 25-8.

Sasha Gonzalez (120 lbs): Claimed the championship, earning 26 team points. She dominated her early matches with quick pins before winning her semi-final by decision. The championship match was a hard-fought battle, which she won in a 3rd round tie-breaker. Her final record is 26-7.

Chloe Etsitty (138 lbs): Her final placement is unknown, but she earned 3 team points. She lost her first match by decision but won her first consolation match by fall. She was then eliminated in the next consolation round by fall. Her final record is 17-11.