Eastwood's Andy Rico wins gold in state wrestling
Andy Rico shot through the wrestling state championships Friday and Saturday as you might imagine from a returning silver-medalist.
Four opponents, four pins.
The Eastwood High School junior pretty much had his way in crushing the 145-pound weight division at the Austin ISD Delco Center.
"This is awesome, really awesome," he said. "I've been wanting this since I was a freshman."
Rico was El Paso's lone gold-medalist, but three others also finished top three.
Franklin senior Alba Mendoza took silver at 110 pounds, while Irvin senior Byelka Soto and Americas junior Valerie Rosales were third at 148 and 165, respectively.
This was Mendoza's third trip to state and second silver medal, which she earned in 2008.
"I was hoping to place higher, but I'm proud of myself," Mendoza said.
El Paso was well-represented in the girls' ranks, as four others placed fifth and five were sixth.
Team-wise, Eastwood's boys placed ninth with 53 points. Freshman Devin Vasquez helped the Troopers' cause by taking fourth at 130 pounds.
Franklin's Gary Martinez (125 pounds) and Hanks' Ryan Martinez (130) joined the pair in the all-state ranks (top six) with fifth-place finishes.
For his bold performance, Rico was named Outstanding Boy Wrestler of the Meet. No wrestler lasted to the third period in four matches (3 minutes, 40 seconds; 0:45; 0:57; 2:54).
Coincidentally, Rico's championship match came against Flower Mound's Drake Dudley, whom he had beaten before.
"Coach (Roman Villa) had started me in the neutral position (in the second period), so I got the takedown and after that, I got the crossface and I just locked his leg and locked my arms (for a cradle) and held on for dear life."
When victory came, it came with powerful emotion.
"I wanted to cry," Rico said. "I was just so happy. I saw my dad (Luis), and he embraced me so hard. It got me teary-eyed."
Earlier in the day, Mendoza had herself quite the challenge.
Mendoza had outlasted Hanks' Jordanne Diaz, 5-0, in the semifinals, then drew defending state champion Shelby Morrison (Bushland), who also is ranked No. 3 in the nation.
Mendoza was pinned midway through the third period, but the loss did not mar her experience.
"It was tough these two days, but I was proud I got to the finals," she said.
Meanwhile, Soto took third by hanging on against Arlington Bowie's Tess Vaughn in triple overtime.
"I was hungry for it; I wanted it all," Soto said. "I didn't even get tired, even though we went to overtime."
This was Rosales' third trip to Austin but her first time making all-state. She pinned Skyline's Cassandra Stealy in 3:32 for bronze. "I'm overwhelmed. I'm just excited and shocked. It was a good day."
Lenny Jurado may be reached at ljurado@elpasotimes.com; 546-6167.
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