Justin Wood Snaps Javier Tapia's 91 Match Winning Streak

Albuquerque, NM - This year's Joe Vivian had its moments of excitement. In New Mexico, you often don't get to see State Champion VS State Champion due to the numerous classification. At this year's Joe Vivian two of the best wrestlers in New Mexico pound for pound faced off in the finals at the 160-pound weight class. 

In the stands at the Joe Vivian, Javier Tapia had his own section of family and friends cheering him on with his challenge against Wood. For good reason, going into the match Tapia was defending a 91 match winning streak. 

However, this match did not happen by accident. Tapia started the year wrestling in the 195-pound weight class and has been jumping around weight classes all season looking for a challenge. 

Residing in Northern New Mexico, Tapia saw a challenger in the South he wanted a battle with. It's not too likely for a heavier guy to jump down in weight to challenge another wrestler. 

Tapia made up his mind to make preparations to cut his weight down to 160 for the Joe Vivian, which orchestrated the match into fruition. 

We caught up to the 3X State Champion after the match against Justin Wood, he commented by saying. " It was a hell of a ride, cut a lot of weight to give the Fan's what they wanted. This is how we grow our states sport, I'm grateful for this opportunity." Tapia hit it on the nose and hopefully starts up a trend for years to come.  

From down south in Carlsbad, Head Coach Ryan Salcido, and Justin Wood have their own approach to competition. 

We got the opportunity to talk with Coach Salcido by phone on the 4-hour bus ride back home from the Joe Vivian. "In wrestling as a coach, you get some kids that have two to three versions of themselves. One wrestler may be good in competition and not so good in the room. Another wrestler might be good in the room and not so good on the mat in competition. Or they don't show up in big matches. You get one version with Justin Wood every time he steps out on the mat. It doesn't matter if it's under the lights in thick competition or in the practice room back home."

Before the Joe Vivian went down Wood had no idea Tapia was planning to make the cut down for a possible match up. We asked Justin Wood what his game plan was before he met Tapia in his finals match at the Joe Vivian. 

Wood commented by saying, "I really didn't know too much about Tapia, before the match. I just went out and do what I do." That's exactly what the modest Wood did, with constant forward pressure in the match forcing the only takedown in the second period to beat Tapia 3-1. 

We also asked Wood how he felt after his victory. "Tapia brought a lot of fans and I respect him for coming down to challenge me." Coach Salcido also commented. "We didn't know too much about Tapia's style of wrestling, I respect the fact that Tapia and his team came down in weight to challenge us. 

The win earned Wood the Outstanding Wrestler Award for the Middle-Weight Divisions and added a 4th Joe Vivian Title to his collection. T

he kicker here is that Justin Wood won his first Joe Vivian Title as an 8th grader. That's right Justin wood still has one more shot at the Vivian next year. 

With the opportunity to become New Mexico's first 5X Joe Vivian Champion. Although, that is not on the agenda right now for Coach Salcido and his Cavemen. 

Carlsbad had a light roster at the Vivian this weekend, with some of Coach Salcido'd wrestler's forced to sit out and recover from a rugged schedule. 

That won't be the case in February at the State Tournament where Coach Salcido believes his team will be ready to win a State Team Title. 

Coach Salcido closed out our conversation by saying " We have some surprises for everyone in February, will be implementing a series of new strategies before we show up. Its full throttle from here on out." With that being said New Mexico Wrestling fans will have an exciting finish at this years 6A State tournament.