Two Warriors crowned as state wrestling champions

RIO RANCHO—Caden Moreland and David Gutierrez Jr. won individual gold medals, and Sasha Gonzalez brought home a silver from the NMAA state wrestling championships in Rio Rancho on Feb. 17-18. Socorro’s Warriors came away as the top 3A team and seventh overall.

Moreland won three straight matches in the 189-pound division by pinning his opponents before defeating Belen’s Bobby Orona in the championship with a 2-1 decision that wasn’t as close as the score indicated.

The win was especially sweet for the senior wrestler after losing his regional match to Orona and bouncing back to win the state title a week later.

Socorro coach Joel Partridge has watched Moreland develop and finish as a bridesmaid at state. There was no doubt that this time around, things would be different.

“We dominated the match. We were in control, and that’s the whole time. It was one of those matches that looks close on the scorecards. But as far as just being in the corner, I had the utmost confidence that Caden would win that match,” Partridge said.

There was much anticipation for Gutierrez’s match against Albuquerque Academy’s Brodi Whitaker. Whitaker beat Socorro’s sophomore Hercules with a narrow 4-3 decision at the regionals.

“We were undersized compared to the Bloomfield kid. But when we watched him earlier, we felt like we could get to his legs and attack him,” Partridge said. “Just as long as we could avoid making a big mistake. With the heavyweights, there’s just one mistake, and you end up on your back, and it’s hard to get those big guys off you after that.”

Gutierrez followed his coach’s game plan and returned the favor against Whitaker with a hard-fought 7-6 decision victory in the semifinals. Gutierrez’s title win was by fall over Bloomfield’s Robert Williams.

Gonzalez’s silver-medal finish (120 lb) is her second at the state tournament after reaching the championship in her eighth-grade year in 2021. Overall experience was the most significant factor in the title bout against Miyamura senior Taniel Espinosa, who had to earn every bit of her 2-0 decision against the Socorro sophomore.

“She wrestled her tail off, and she had tight matches – tough matches. Most of those matches in the finals are tough. She’s young, and she was heartbroken. We wanted it bad for her, too. But you know, she’s a trooper. She’ll be back. She’ll keep doing it and get it done. I have no doubt about it,” Partridge said.

Jada Castillio (3rd 107), Brian Armijo (5th 152), and Kane Johnson (6th 127) were the next-highest finishers.

“I’m proud of our wrestlers. Not just for how they performed on the mats, but for how they are there to support their teammates and lift them,” Partridge said. “Isiah Estrada, Patrick Woods, Damian Otero, Isaiah Ocampo, Jayden Kayser, Chloe Etsitty and Ally Martinez all came here and gave it their all. I’m proud of all of them.”

Since reestablishing Socorro’s high school wrestling program six years ago, Partridge has coached nine state champions and brought home two gold medals twice.

“Etsitty and Martinez impressed me. This is their first year to come out for wrestling,” Partridge said. “To wrestle your way into the state tournament is quite an accomplishment.”