EL PASO -- The Del Valle High School girls wrestling team gave itself a nice surprise by winning the District 3 championship, while, as predicted, the Eastwood boys dominated the competition Saturday at Del Valle's Conquest Arena.
Despite being a young team, the Conquistadores girls made it back-to-back titles. The Eastwood girls finished second with 76 points and Hanks surprisingly fell to third with 65.
"It was huge, because we had some problems, because one of our girls didn't make weight," Del Valle coach Carlos Armendariz said. "Considering they're a real young team, they are real poised and strong."
Sophomore Mayela Rascon was jumping up and down upon hearing that her team repeated as district champs.
"Oh, it feels so cool," she said. "Well, a lot of our wrestlers are very inexperienced, so to be champs again is very good."
Rascon said this gives the Conquistadores motivation not only to do well at the Region 1 tournament Saturday at Del Valle, but also to repeat next season.
"At the beginning of the season, we were close to second-to-last place," she said. "To win when it counts the most feels so good."
Individually, Rascon was involved in the closest match of the day. She was edged 8-7 by Hanks' Darlene Fernandez in the 119-pound division.
Rascon had tied the match with 40 second left, but right before time expired, Fernandez scored an escape point for a narrow win.
"I knew time was almost up because the time keeper was right there," Fernandez said.
"So I knew I had to do something."
The close victory only made the gold medal that much sweeter.
"I think it was won with heart, because you've got to have heart in wrestling," Fernandez said. "It feels pretty good, because I never won district before."
It was a busy day for Eastwood, as the championship mat usually had at least one Trooper competing on it at all times.
"Everything went according to plan," Eastwood coach Roman Villa said. "The kids are real supportive of each other as a group."
Eastwood finished with 217.5 points, while Hanks was the closest competitor in second place with 166.5. Parkland was third with 94.
The whole team rallied for freshman Devin Vasquez as he defeated Hanks senior Ryan Martinez via decision in the 130-pound final.
"That was the match that might of swayed some of the momentum toward Hanks, if he lost," Villa said. "They were 2-2 against each other this season going in. The guys got excited on the sideline during that match and helped Devin through it."
Eastwood leader and returning state runner-up Andy Rico set a standard with a first-place finish in the 145-pound division. With a chance to go to state just days away, Rico said the Troopers are ready to go.
"I say top two or three at regionals," Rico said. "We are a really good team and at the state duals we got fourth, so I think we'll do good at regionals."
In the 125-pound division, Parkland's Damien Petta defeated Eastwood's Brandon Matthews in an 11-10 decision that saw several lead changes in the final period.
"Me and my coach had a game plan and stuck to it," Petta said. "I love wrestling and love the competition because there is no one out there but you."
Aaron Bracamontes may be reached at abracamontes@elpasotimes.com; 546-6381.
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