Rio Rancho, NM - This past weekend the 2019 NMJW State Wrestling Championships were hosted at Rio Rancho High School. With 47 teams participating and a nail-biting fight for team gold, the action was priceless. 

Going into this year's state tournament NM Matador Beast were favored to win team gold. NM Matador beast showed precedence during the season winning most tournaments that lead up to this weekends showdown. Finishing just 5-1/2 points behind NM Wolf-Pack in the team standings, with 11 State champions, calculating more state champs than any other team. 

In a very tight race for team gold, St. Jude Fire finished a half point behind beast in 3rd place, with 7 state champions to their credit. Atrisco Heritage Jaguars finished in 4th place, with 8 state champions.

Throughout the season NM Wolf-Pack kept a consistent pace, placing in the top 5 at every tournament they participated in. NM Wolfpack had 13 state finalist, with 7 state champions. In some tournaments, it's not how many champions you have that counts.

In a hunt, every wolf in a pack has their job at feeding time. Head Coach Monte Wallace and his Wolf-Pack bonded together for the final kill of the year and got the job done this weekend. What made the difference for NM Wolf-Pack was their backside wrestlers.

NM Wolf-Pack wrestler Elias Martinez who wrestled in the 8U division at the 61-pound weight class, had four crucial backside wins. In the final round of the hunt, Martinez sealed the deal with a 4-0 win over Cibola's Uriah Army, permanently putting NM Wolf-Pack in the lead. 

We asked NM Wolf-Pack Head Wrestling Coach Monte Wallace how he felt about his team's performance; " It was a great performance from all of the kids, even the ones who didn't score. Everyone came out to wrestle and showed exactly what we preach, mental toughness." Head Coach Monte Wallace started his program 3 short years ago with a vision to help kids through the sport of wrestling, and in doing so he has built something much more than that. Coach Wallace commented further on his pup's performance by further saying; " It was definitely a tough tournament with a lot of competition, but we had a team this year that did exactly what we needed them to do and that was simply wrestle your best. We're extremely proud of this club in a whole."

With the taste of blood still lingering, Coach Wallace plans to take his Wolf-Pack to the NMWAY State Championships next weekend. With the more prestigious state title already in hand, another title next weekend will silence all critics. That seems to be the message Coach Wallace wants to send after speaking with him. 

As one saying goes, it's not how you start the fight, but how you finish that counts. 

There were a lot of stories to talk about individually at this year's state tournament, look for more coverage throughout the week. Newmexicowrestling.com congratulates all the competitors and coaches for their hard work and dedication to the sport. 

Article By: Anonymous

Date: 2/18/2019