Del Valle, Eastwood repeat as wrestling champs

By Aaron Bracamontes / El Paso Times

Posted: 02/06/2010 11:36:10 PM MST

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.

Bowie Tournament - Day 2

El Paso power struggle: Eastwood edges Hanks for boys wrestling title at Bowie Invitational

By Paul MacKinnon / Special to the Times

Posted: 01/23/2010 10:34:05 PM MST

EL PASO -- It was the wrestling season's final dress rehearsal before the district meets in two weeks, and it was Eastwood that came out looking its best Saturday afternoon at Bowie Gymnasium.

All three Troopers finalists won their matches -- including two head-to-head wins versus runner-up Hanks -- as Eastwood walked away with the boys team title at the Bowie Invitational.

"It's kind of been a rough week, I think the (Texas State Duals Tournament) really took a lot out of the kids," said Eastwood coach Roman Villa of his team, which placed an impressive fourth last week in Amarillo. "They could have come (to Bowie) with swelled heads and thought they were going to walk away with this tournament. But they didn't. And it was a battle until the last match."

Adrian Sandoval scored a narrow 3-1 decision over Hanks' Nathan Montes to win the 119-pound title, and freshman Devin Vasquez did the same in a 5-3 win over Knights senior Ryan Martinez to push Eastwood to its 207.5 to 197 winning margin.

Texas 2009 145-pound state runner-up Andy Rico, coming off his first two losses of the season after wrestling at 152-pounds in Amarillo, pinned everyone he faced to help the Eastwood cause.

"I'm still bummed about (the losses)," the 145-pound winner Rico said. "But, I'll learn from my experiences."

Third-place Chapin (182.5) won three of four finals matches to tie Eastwood for individual gold medalists.

Jordan Hildreth had to go into overtime to keep his seasonal unbeaten streak alive in a 4-3 win over Andress' Sergio Rubio. Abel Rodriguez, a 2009 state qualifier, grabbed the 152-pound title (with a 6-1 win over Cobre's Nick Delgado) while teammate Kevin Albone (in a 10-5 win over Americas' Devonte Rozier) was best at 180. Husky 171-pounder Ernest Rodriguez was pinned by lone San Elizario titlist Christian Hernandez.

"Unofficially, this is the city meet," Chapin head coach Angel Nevarez said of his squad's impressive showing heading into the District 1 meet Feb. 6 at Jefferson. "Except for (the Franklin varsity), every school in the city is here. It's the last time you get to see everyone until regionals (Feb. 19-20 at Del Valle)."

Franklin, at a tournament in Lafayette, Colo., has won that district meet an impressive 11 consecutive seasons.

"We always go toe-to-toe with Franklin," Nevarez said. "Unfortunately, we've always come out on the bottom end."

Super heavyweight Kevin Muñoz decisioned former El Dorado teammate Jorge Machado 5-1 to join current Americas teammate Ruben Lujan (11-0 major decision over Fabens 112-pounder Jesus Flores) as champions.

Burges' Rick Burns, with Eastwood's Colton Woodruff lost for the season to an elbow injury, solidified his hold on the city's 135-pound division in a 4-2 decision of Cobre's Xavier De La Torre. Bowie's Lupe Sillas defeated El Paso High's Miguel Tovar (3-2) for the third time in four tries in a 160-pound match that could very well be reprised at the District 2 meet, also at Jefferson.

Jonathan Sanchez of Socorro (125 pounds) and Canutillo's Jose Castro (189) will carry Bowie gold into the District 4 meet at San Elizario, while Eastwood puts its six straight District 3 titles on the line at Del Valle.

"We kind of fizzled at the end of last year," Villa said. "We've changed things up a bit this year, and I think the kids are peaking at the right time."

Erik Rangel took home gold for a Santa Teresa team facing its district meet Feb. 12-13 in Roswell. The sophomore will look to improve on his fourth-in-state finish two weeks after district in Albuquerque.

The Texas state meet is set for Feb. 26-27 in Austin.

Bowie High School Wrestling Invitational results

Bowie Men's Wrestling Tournament Team Scores

1. Eastwood -- 207.50
2. Hanks -- 197.00
3. Chapin -- 182.50
4. Americas -- 168.00
5. Gadsden -- 141.00
6. Silver City -- 138.00
7. Santa Teresa -- 122.50
8. Parkland -- 113.00
9. Burges -- 111.00
10. Franklin JV -- 89.00
11. Montwood -- 88.50
12. Cobre -- 79.00
13. El Dorado -- 72.50
14. Bowie -- 67.50
15. Socorro -- 67.00
16. Bel Air -- 60.00
17. Del Valle -- 59.50
18. Andress -- 55.00
19. San Elizario -- 49.00
20. El Paso High -- 47.00
21. Canutillo -- 46.00
22. Ysleta -- 44.00
23. Irvin -- 34.00
24. Jefferson -- 32.50
25. Coronado -- 31.00
26. Chaparral -- 24.00
27. Fabens -- 21.00
28. Austin -- 20.00
29. Riverside -- 13.00
30. Deming -- 0.00

Bowie Men's Wrestling Tournament Place Winners

Weight: 103
1st: Erick Rangel, Santa Teresa 4- 0
2nd: Jesus Ramos, Gadsden 3- 1
3rd: Jesse Portillo, Burges 4- 1
4th: Juan Gambert, Hanks 4- 2
5th: Ivan Castillo, Montwood 3- 2
6th: Danny Barraza, Americas 3- 3

Weight: 112
1st: Ruben Lujan, Americas 4- 0
2nd: Jesus Flores, Fabens 3- 1
3rd: Joel Mascorro, Gadsden 5- 1
4th: Brandon Woo, Coronado 4- 2
5th: Zeke Villaba, Silver City 3- 2
6th: Frankie Ceniceros, Socorro 2- 3

Weight: 119
1st: Adrian Sandoval, Eastwood 4- 0
2nd: Nathan Montes, Hanks 3- 1
3rd: Gerardo Ramirez, Americas 4- 1
4th: Marcos Romo, Montwood 3- 2
5th: Daniel McCauley, Silver City 5- 2
6th: Forfeit, 5- 2

Weight: 125
1st: Jonathan Sanchez, Socorro 4- 0
2nd: Enoc Mascorro, Gadsden 3- 1
3rd: Damien Petta, Parkland 4- 1
4th: Brandon Matthews, Eastwood 3- 2
5th: Javier Vasquez, Americas 4- 2
6th: Brandon Flynn, Burges 3- 3

Weight: 130
1st: Devin Vasquez, Eastwood 4- 0
2nd: Ryan Martinez, Hanks 3- 1
3rd: A J Sedillo, Santa Teresa 5- 1
4th: Luis Rosales, Chapin 3- 2
5th: Chris Gonzales, Gadsden 4- 2
6th: Adonis Ortega, Silver City 2- 3

Weight: 135
1st: Rick Burns, Burges 4- 0
2nd: Xavier De La Torre, Cobre 3- 1
3rd: Corey Gentry, Hanks 4- 1
4th: Frank Alvara, Chapin 3- 2
5th: Benny Moya, Eastwood 6- 2
6th: Manuel Hernandez, El Paso High 4- 3

Weight: 140
1st: Jordan Hildreth, Chapin 4- 0
2nd: Sergio Rubio, Andress 3- 1
3rd: Leo Hernandez, Hanks 4- 1
4th: Joshua Rodriguez, Eastwood 4- 2
5th: Arturo Anchondo, Santa Teresa 4- 2
6th: Hector Chacon, Montwood 2- 3

Weight: 145
1st: Andy Rico, Eastwood 4- 0
2nd: Andrew Alvarez, Silver City 3- 1
3rd: Jesus Reyes, Parkland 4- 1
4th: Aaron Rios, Chapin 3- 2
5th: Carlos Hernandez, Montwood 6- 2
6th: Pablo Contreras, Santa Teresa 4- 3

Weight: 152
1st: Abel Rodriguez, Chapin 4- 0
2nd: Nick Delgado, Cobre 3- 1
3rd: Julian Jaramillo, Burges 4- 1
4th: Hugo Hernandez, Hanks 3- 2
5th: Nevada Bencomo, Silver City 4- 2
6th: Joey Vela, Eastwood 3- 3

Weight: 160
1st: Lupe Sillas, Bowie 4- 0
2nd: Miguel Tovar, El Paso High 3- 1
3rd: Noah Villaba, Silver City 4- 1
4th: Jon Limon, Hanks 4- 2
5th: Dominique Duran, Cobre 4- 2
6th: Dylan Cordero, Ysleta 2- 0

Weight: 171
1st: Christian Hernandez, San Elizario 5- 0
2nd: Ernest Rodriguez, Chapin 3- 1
3rd: Irving Galindo, Bel Air 5- 1
4th: Jonel Ortiz, Eastwood 3- 2
5th: Ricardo Macias, Hanks 3- 2
6th: Aaron Blanchard, Parkland 5- 3

Weight: 180
1st: Kevin Albone, Chapin 3- 0
2nd: Devonte Rozier, Americas 2- 1
3rd: Eric Perez, Bel Air 3- 1
4th: Robert Holguin, Franklin JV 4- 2
5th: Ben Gonzalez, Eastwood 4- 2
6th: Angel Ortega, Bowie 2- 0

Weight: 189
1st: Jose Castro, Canutillo 4- 0
2nd: Kevin Nguyen, Franklin JV 3- 1
3rd: Cesar Ortega, Americas 5- 1
4th: Darius Montgomery, Chapin 4- 2
5th: Forfeit, 4- 2
6th: Forfeit, 4- 2

Weight: 215
1st: Josh Mcmenimen, Hanks 4- 0
2nd: Fabian Lopez, Santa Teresa 3- 1
3rd: Johnny Salome, Parkland 4- 1
4th: James Alvarado, Silver City 4- 2
5th: Ben Hernandez, Bel Air 4- 2
6th: Anthony Saldana, Bowie 2- 2

Weight: 285
1st: Kevin Munoz, Americas 4- 0
2nd: Jorge Machado, El Dorado 3- 1
3rd: Oscar Escajeda, Gadsden 4- 1
4th: Jose Arenivas, Parkland 3- 2
5th: Chris Gonzalez, Silver City 4- 2
6th: Luis Jimenez, Franklin JV 3- 3

Bowie Women's Wrestling Tournament Team Scores

1. Chapin -- 128.00
2. Irvin -- 114.00
3. El Dorado -- 94.00
4. Burges -- 70.00
5. Austin -- 63.00
6. Del Valle -- 60.00
7. Andress -- 57.00
8. Socorro -- 53.00
9. Hanks -- 48.50
10. Bowie -- 44.00
10. (tie) Franklin JV -- 44.00
12. Eastwood -- 35.00
13. Sandia -- 30.00
14. Jefferson -- 29.00
15. Parkland -- 23.00
15. (tie) Bears -- 23.00
17. El Paso High -- 22.00
17. (tie) Montwood -- 22.00
19. Bel Air -- 18.00
20. Huskies -- 15.00
21. Canutillo -- 14.00
22. San Elizario -- 12.00
23. Fabens -- 11.00
24. Aztecs -- 10.00
24. (tie) Knights -- 10.00
26. Americas -- 9.00
27. Riverside -- 7.00
27. (tie) Conquistadors -- 7.00
29. Eagles Canutillo -- 6.00
30. Cornado -- 2.00
30. (tie) Ysleta -- 2.00
32. Trailblazers -- 0.00
32. (tie) Tigers -- 0.00
32. (tie) Rams -- 0.00
32. (tie) Bulldogs -- 0.00

Bowie Women's Wrestling Tournament Place Winners

Weight: 95
1st: Akira Pena, El Dorado 3- 0
2nd: Tiffany Chavez, Andress 2- 1
3rd: Celeste Vallejo, Chapin 3- 1
4th: Stephanie Martinez, Austin 4- 2

Weight: 102
1st: Desiree Galindo, Austin 3- 0
2nd: Adriana Barreras, Socorro 2- 1
3rd: Jackie Cordero, Burges 3- 1
4th: Brittany Carter, Chapin 2- 2

Weight: 110
1st: Alba Mendoza, Franklin JV 4- 0
2nd: Jordanne Diaz, Hanks 3- 1
3rd: Brenda Villela, Chapin 4- 1
4th: Rebecca Medina, Del Valle 4- 2

Weight: 119
1st: Alysha Gallis, Sandia 4- 0
2nd: Darlene Fernandez, Hanks 3- 1
3rd: Mayela Rascon, Del Valle 5- 1
4th: Jo De La Riva, Burges 4- 2

Weight: 128
1st: Gabriela Nelson, Chapin 4- 0
2nd: Abril Ramirez, El Dorado 3- 1
3rd: Alexandra Hernandez, Del Valle 4- 1
4th: Janae Shaw, Irvin 5- 2

Weight: 138
1st: Jerilyn Partin, Chapin 4- 0
2nd: Sarah Gonzalez, El Dorado 3- 1
3rd: Brandi Martinez, Irvin 4- 1
4th: Emily Trejo, Socorro 3- 2

Weight: 148
1st: Byelka Soto, Irvin 3- 0
2nd: Yvonne Galindo, Jefferson 3- 1
3rd: Steph Amerina, Burges 3- 1
4th: Connie Garcia, Andress 3- 2

Weight: 165
1st: Alexus Dominguez, Austin 3- 0
2nd: Jazmin Shaw, Irvin 2- 1
3rd: Gloria Guerra, Bel Air 3- 1
4th: Mellisa Valadez, Chapin 1- 2

Weight: 185
1st: Ann Uribe, El Paso High 3- 0
2nd: Melissa Rivera, Bowie 2- 1
3rd: Maria Sanchez, Bears 4- 1
4th: Monica Camacho, Parkland 2- 2

Weight: 215
1st: Diana Varela, Chapin 3- 0
2nd: Jescelia Upton, Andress 2- 1
3rd: Alicia Ealey, Irvin 3- 1
4th: Erica Nicolson, Eastwood 2- 2

Bowie Tournament - Day 1

Bowie Wrestling Invitational under way: Boys, girls competitions a 3-team race

By Aaron Bracamontes / El Paso Times

Posted: 01/22/2010 11:22:15 PM MST

EL PASO -- After the first day of the Bowie High School wrestling tournament, it appears that it will be a three-team race for the championship in both the boys and girls divisions.

On the boys side, Eastwood, ranked first in the city, is leading the way with 106.5 points, followed closely by Hanks (ranked No. 3) with 106 and Chapin (ranked No. 4) at 94.5.

No. 2 Franklin is competing at a tournament in Lafayette, Colo.

On the girls side, through the second consolation round, No. 2 El Dorado is in first with 48 points, with No. 3 Irvin is in second with 40. No. 1 Chapin is in third with 38 points.

The premier El Paso wrestling tournament will resume at 9 a.m. today with the semifinals and consolation rounds. The championship round is expected to begin at 3 p.m.

"The semifinals are what's going to determine who wins and who loses," Hanks coach Anthony Carter said. "That's what will separate everyone. If you want to see some good wrestling, go check out the semifinals."

Hanks has seven boys remaining in the championship bracket. Carter said his team has come back strong after is suffered several injuries last week at the state dual meet.

"From what I've seen tonight, we're doing fantastic," Carter said.

El Dorado coach Freddy Flores feels the same way about his girls, as they try torebound from a 2-point loss to Chapin last week at the duals.

"The momentum that was built over there has carried over to this week," Flores said. "They've got to step up to the challenge. If you want to be the top dog, you have to take it to that team."

The Aztecs have five girls still in title contention, including senior Akira Peña in the 95-pound division, and junior April Gomez in the 119 division.

Chapin coach Angel Nevarez likes that both of his squads are in position to make a move, but he wants more out of them when they take the mat today.

"Our strong wrestlers are wrestling the way they're supposed to," Nevarez said. "Today they did good, but tomorrow it has to be their best if they want to pull it off."

The Huskies have six boys and eight girls in the semifinals. "I'm going to tell them not the let the standings get to them, but instead motivate them," Nevarez said. "I want them focused on their opponent in their match one at a time."

Another team having a strong showing is the Americas boys team. They are in fourth place with 84 points, just one ahead of fifth-place Gadsden.

On the girls side, No. 5 Burges is fourth with 30 points, while No. 6 Del Valle and No. 9 Socorro are just a point behind.

Aaron Bracamontes may be reached at abracamontes@elpasotimes.com; 546-6381.

Leg Riding - Option #1

Wrestling Videos on Flowrestling

Same idea, different set-up.

Wrestling Videos on Flowrestling

Saitiev/Slay

Eastwood High School boys wrestling team No. 1 in city

By Steve Escajeda / Special to the Times

Posted: 11/10/2009 11:21:40 PM MST

EL PASO -- The Eastwood High School boys wrestling team has won the District 1-5A championship each of the past six years, and lucky number seven appears well within its grasp.

The No. 1-ranked Troopers, who open the season today at home against Burges in a dual meet, are anxious to improve upon last season.

"We didn't do as well as we had hoped at regionals last year," coach Roman Villa said. "We have the defending state champs (Canyon Randall) in our region, so we'd like to finish as high as third at regionals and in the Top 10 at state."

Eastwood will field a talented and veteran team this season.

"We're pretty experienced," Villa said. "Of our 15 available weight classes, we have 12 wrestlers who have competed on varsity before."

The unquestioned leader of the team is Andy Rico, who advanced all the way to the state championship in the 135-pound weight class a year ago.

"Rico is a very special wrestler," Villa said. "I don't think he knows how good he really is. He's confident, but very soft spoken; not cocky or arrogant at all."

Rico certainly has the experience to be a leader.

"I started wrestling when I was 5 years old," he said. "My dad got me involved in the sport and taught me everything I know. He's always been my coach and my role model."

Rico is as excited about his team's season as he is about some individual goals.

"I'm looking forward to another chance at a state title," he said. "As a team, I'd like to think we can finish as high as fourth in state this year."

Villa said, "Everybody's telling him that he's going to win state for the next two years. That's a lot of pressure for a young man. He has to forget about last year, especially because he's moving up in weight to 145 pounds."

Other wrestlers who are top returners for the Troopers include Colton Woodruff and Devin Vasquez.

Woodruff spent time in Minnesota over the summer wrestling against some of the top wrestlers in the country, and Vasquez was an All-American as a youth wrestler.

Eastwood vs. Burges