When dreams aspire from a young age in the sport of wrestling, what is the drive and motivation for a young athlete to wrestle? We will find out at this weekend's 2020 NMJW State Championships hosted at Cleveland High School. With ones that show their motivation and hard work aspirations will not be denied. For some picking up and fighting another day after aspirations were not met from defeat will be the ones that learn about one of life's best lessons. Everyone rewarded in victory or defeat is in it for one reason, the challenge. Making it to this point is one of the hardest challenges one can endure. It's safe to say all of this generation's apex alpha’s will be hanging out at Cleveland High School this weekend.
Team title predictions for this year's NMJW State Tournament are tough with the amount of competition, of course, one can have their opinion on who will run away with this year's state title. Unpredictability is what's going to make it nail-biting up until this Sunday when the best team in the state is crowned. Some of the teams in the hunt make it a toss-up.
New Mexico Wolfpack a team that came into last year's state tournament as un-favored crowned champions are in hunt for a repeat. One thing to be mentioned would be Wolfpacks' ability to pick up the pace without relaxing. New Mexico Wolfpack has stayed consistently in the top position at most tournaments this season. The Pack features returning state champion Andre Martinez, Jodeci Gutierrez, and returning runner-up Aiden Gutierrez. Some key wrestlers in the Wolfpacks line up. This weekend Wolfpack will not be the hunting unpredictable's, they now become the hunted en route for a repeat.
A few teams are lurking outside the shadows waiting to strike. Making an appearance onto the scene quickly has been the New Mexico Bad Boys showing a consistent hold in the top five at most tournaments this season. The Bad Boys have been jumping in and out as tournament champions as well. In rank for the Bad Boys is Angelo Ortiz wrestling in the 8 & under division at 73-pounds. Bad boys showcase stand out Nickolas Valencia in the 8 & under division at 69-pounds. Also representing is returning state champion, Jaxon Romero, in the 10 & under division at 60-pounds. With just a few to mention New Mexico, Bad Boys are a threat to win a title.
Stout Wrestling Academy has been no stranger this year winning a fair share of titles this season. Also showing up consistently in the top five at every tournament Stout Wrestling Academy is eager to be crowned this weekend. Brody Lance will be stepping on the mat this weekend wrestling in the 6 & under division at 39-pounds. Teammates Dillon Wright will be wrestling in the 6 & under division at 59-pounds. Taren Olguin also in the 6 & under division will be wrestling in the 51-pound weight class. A few key wrestlers in Stout's stable to help take home a title, all around Stout Wrestling academy has a solid team this year.
Lockjaw Wrestling Club, a new team on this year's roster has made its presence known. Showing up consistently in the top five at every event they have participated in. Wrestling in the 8 & under division at 49-pound weight class is returning state champion, Dragon Martinez. Izayah Sanchez in the 10 & under division wrestling at 80-pounds is a returning state runner-up. Lockjaw also has Silas Peralta in the 8 & under division wrestling in the 57-pound weight class. Some key wrestlers for Lockjaw to muscle away a title this weekend.
In the conversation for a state title run this year is St. Jude Fire. Showing up at the top of the food chain consistently this season among side some heavy artillery in their line-up. Showcasing returning state champion Marcus Abeyta, wrestling 10 & under in the 80-pound weight class. Teammate Lorenzo Gallegos is also a returning state champion recently earning VACS All-American honors as well. The roster thickens with another returning state champion Jaxon Moralez 10 & under, wrestling in the 61-pound weight class. With a thick roster, St Jude Fire is a definite favorite to win a title this weekend.
Atrisco Jaguars Jr Wrestling will be in on the fun as well with returning state runner-up 10 & under 100-pound wrestler Izaiah Casaus, 15 & under 120-pound 3X returning state champion Ryan Clement, and 15 & under 145-pound returning state champion Joziah Lopez in their roster. The Jags have shown consistent appearances in the top five throughout this season. The Jags can spoil any team's aspirations if not taken seriously.
Sandia Matador Beast is another team to watch out for. Beast has also shown itself in the top five at most tournaments this season. Beast is a team you can always count on to show up and wrestle, if not taken seriously a title could fall into their hands as well. Featured wrestler for NM Beast is Santino 'Beast Mode' Martinez, wrestling in the 8 & under division at 61-pounds. Beast Mode is flawless this year with a record of 34-0 entering the state tournament as the #1 ranked wrestler in the state.
505 Wrestling Club is showing signs of constant improvements, with some strong showings in some recent tournaments they have participated in. With right calculations 505 Wrestling Club could also be a threat for a title as well.
Cibola Jr Wrestling has a few key wrestlers to watch as well. Diego 'Spike' Torrez will be going for his 5th state title. Teammate Bradly 'Cowboy' Martinez is also a returning state champion and New Mexico Wrestling's 2019 male youth wrestler of the year. Cibola also features scrappy Stephanie Garza wrestling in the 43-pound 6 & under boy's division. The Cougars are a team to watch out for this weekend as well.
This year's NMJW State Wrestling Tournament will be exciting, to say the least, with many more participants to mention will recap full coverage in its conclusion. Of course when the whistle blows tomorrow past titles or rankings will be gone with the wind, predictions, and bets will no longer be a factor, whats crucial is who shows up with the most grit and will to win.
Article By: NMW.COM
Date: 2/14/2020
