2019 NMAA State Tournament Results - Rams Win Back To Back Titles

Rio Rancho, NM - The Rio Rancho Rams won their 13th State Title this past weekend at the Santa Ana Star Center. Earning back to back titles by a narrow seven-point margin scoring 170 points. Cleveland Storm claimed the runner-up spot with 163 points. The Carlsbad Cavemen came in third with 150 points.

The Rams had eight placers in the tournament, pushing four wrestlers into the finals. Despite only having one state champion the Rams simply had more guys on the board in a position to score points. There were plenty of battles with a lot of excitement throughout the tournament.

The 106-pound finals featured Sandia Freshman Joshua Robinson the fourth-seeded wrestler in the tournament. Robinson advanced into the finals with a big upset win in the semi-finals against first-seeded wrestler Isaiah Marrujo a senior out of Cleveland. He faced off against second-seeded wrestler Moses Santiago a sophomore from Volcano Vista. Robinson had good momentum going into the finals however, Santiago used textbook wrestling like a well-sharpened tool throughout the match. Lingering focused and determined for the full six minutes, Santiago won the match 5-2. Santiago finished the season 33-4, showing a lot of heart in the tournament with smart tactical wrestling. Santiago put in a lot of time to improve his game throughout the summer and it showed at the right time.

Wrestling in the finals in the 113-pound weight class was junior defending state champion Tristan Mascarenas of Cleveland. Facing off against junior Tim Lopez of Rio Rancho, Lopez won a state title last year in the 106-pound weight class. Moving up in weight class Lopez was the third seed advancing into the finals that helped contribute points to his team winning gold. A win by the defending state champion Tristan Mascarenas would add nine state titles to the Mascarenas trophy case at home. Wrestling under the lights is the most unlikely spot to upset Tristian Mascarenas, like his brothers he is most comfortable when the pressure is on. That is exactly what Mascarenas showed, taking the driver seat in the match from start to finish, Mascarenas did not look back winning the bout flawlessly by a score of 8-0. Mascarenas finished the season with only one loss this year that came from an out of town state wrestler.

The 120-pound weight class proved to be exciting, with upsets in the semifinals on both sides of the bracket. Senior Adam Pena advanced to the finals beating senior Joshua Vega out of Volcano Vista, who came into the semifinal bout unbeaten. In the finals, Pena faced off against Freshman Avery Atma of Las Cruces who came into the tournament as the third-seeded wrestler. Atam upset second-seeded Alex Emmer of Rio Rancho in the semifinals match to advance. In the first period, Pena started strong with a 5-1 lead, scoring a quick takedown, with additional back points from a tilt. Atam almost spoiled Pena's lead in the third period with a reversal that ended up in a cradle momentarily. Pena fought it off and scored a reversal of his own, securing the win 11-7.

The 126-pound weight class featured second-seeded sophomore Miguel Padilla of Santa Fe. Padilla faced off against the fourth-seeded senior Santiago Marquez of Cleveland. In the first period, both wrestlers measured each other, going into the second period scoreless. In the second period, Padilla chose bottom and escaped quickly. Padilla showed great position fending off every shot Marquez took, then showed he was the stronger wrestler by stuffing Marquez on a shot attempt. Padilla then strangled a tight three-quarter lock on Marquez that turned into a takedown. Padilla then forced the three quarter on tight turning Marquez for two near-fall points nearly pinning Marquez. Marquez managed out a reversal at the end of the period. Going into the third period, Padilla showed more strength by riding out Marquez most of the period. Marquez forced an escaped towards the end of the match with little time to retaliate on his feet. Padilla won the match 5-4, becoming Santa Fe's second champion of the tournament.

A state final rematch loomed at the 132-pound weight class, featuring senior Alejandro Gutierrez from Rio Grande and senior Thomas Carillo out of Rio Rancho. No introduction was necessary for both wrestlers in a chess match that was at its climax. With master scrambling skills, and great defense coming from both wrestlers no points were scored in the first period. In the second Carillo rode Gutierrez out, then choose bottom in the third period. Gutierrez did more than just return the favor on the ride out. In the last minute of the match, Gutierrez caught Carillo with two deep wings trapping Carillo's arm allowing him to get enough torque for three near-fall points, winning the match 3-0, avenging his defeat from last years state finals match.

In the 138-pound match, senior James Emmer out of Rio Rancho faced off against sophomore Gestic Marquez of Sandia. Marquez may perhaps get the upset wrestler of the year award for taking down the second and third-seeded wrestlers to advanced himself under the lights into the finals. However, Marquez had a big challenge against James Emmer who was the first seeded wrestler entering the tournament. Emmer stayed in control most of the match, Marquez did show signs of life scoring his only takedown in the closing seconds with hardly any time to rally back. Emmer won the match 7-3.

Midway through the tournament at the 145-pound weight class, Manuel Robles of Volcano Vista faced off against Jesse Daniel Perez of Deming, both wrestlers are juniors. Perez fired off with the first takedown of the match, Robles escaped quickly without any trouble. In the closing seconds of the period, Robles hit a fireman's carry that turned into a double taking Perez to his back until time ran out. Robles got comfortable in the second period and hit a nice high crotch double scoring three more back points. Robles rode Prez out on top in the third period winning the match 11-2.

Senior Sammy Martinez of Santa Fe faced off against junior Mason Box of Carlsbad in the 152-pound finals match. Both wrestlers measured each other in the first period with no one scoring any points. In the second Martinez scored the first point with a quick escape. Both wrestlers continued to measure each other with for the remainder of the period. In the third period, Box chose bottom and quickly escaped. Like the second period, no one scored a takedown forcing the match into overtime. Both wrestlers continued to measure each other apprehensively with no one committing to a solid takedown attempt in the first minute of overtime. Martinez won the coin toss and deferred position to Box which may have been a mistake. Box took bottom and earned an escape in the closing seconds of the ride out on a controversial call. When Martinez came up to bat he chose bottom and was unable to escape from Box who rode Martinez out winning the match 2-1.

The 160-pound weight class featured another state finals rematch between junior Justin Wood of Carlsbad and senior Cody Glenn of Rio Rancho. Both wrestlers felt each other out with no one scoring in the first period. In the second period Glenn chose neutral to avoid Wood on top where he can be a hammer, both wrestlers showed caution on their feet with no one scoring. In the third Wood choose bottom earning a quick escape to lead the match 1-0. Wood then set up a high crotch from a front headlock that converted into a takedown. Wood then slapped on a cradle that Glenn Slipped out of earning him a reversal. Glenn let Wood go with a free escape with little time to retaliate. Wood made his fourth state finals appearance winning his second state title by a score of 4-2.

The 170-pound weight class featured Senior Fabian Padilla out of Carlsbad and senior Bronson Deatherage out of Volcano Vista. Wrestling most of his matches at the 160-pound weight class Detherage bumped up to the 170-pound weight class for district and state. Detherage showed a lot of heart by making the move up, forcing himself into the finals. Padilla was the first seed going into the match and he showed it with an impressive finals performance against Detherage. In the first period, Padilla scored two slick takedowns to take a 4-2 lead. In the second period, Padilla kept the match standing up, choosing neutral. Padilla rallied three takedowns with some back points on a quick tilt to put him ahead 12-4 going into the third period. Detherage decided to choose top to see what kind of damage he could do. Detherage gallantly put some pressure on Padilla but was unable to put any points on the board. Padilla was a hammer all season earning his first state title with a 12-4 win.

The 182-pound weight class featured first seed senior Marco Rodriguez from Centennial High School. His opponent was second-seeded senior Ethan Sanchez Maxwell from Volcano Vista High school. Both wrestlers showed some good hand fighting in the first period with no one scoring any points. In the second period, Sanchez-Maxwell scored a quick escape from bottom putting the first point on the board. Shortly after the escape, Rodriguez timed an over-committed head snap by Sanchez-Maxwell that lead him into a tight body lock tripping Sanchez-Maxwell right to his back for a takedown and near-fall points. Going into the third Rodriguez chose bottom leading the match 5-2. Rodriguez escaped quickly and showed good position fending off every scoring attempt by Sanchez-Maxwell winning the match 6-2.

Battling for the title in the 195-pound weight class was junior Barrett Haemker from La Cueva and junior Gabe Garcia from Cleveland. Both wrestlers felt each other out with some hand fighting going into the second period scoreless. Haemker chose bottom and gained a quick escape, then shortly after he caught a snag single scoring the first takedown of the match. In the third period, Garcia chose bottom earning a quick escape. Mid-way through the third period Haemker stuffed one of Garcia's shots and scored a quick spin behind. Garcia escaped quickly but was unable to score any point giving the win to Haemker 5-3.

The 220-pound weight class featured first seeded senior Dion Hunter of Cleveland High School. Hunter made a dominating approach to the finals pinning everyone he faced. His opponent was second-seeded junior Jacob Telles of Sandia High School. Hunter showed a lot of energy backing up Telles most of the first period as both wrestlers fought for position keeping the match scoreless. Going into the second period Hunter chose bottom converting a quick explosive escape, to put points on the board first. Hunter then went for the kill on a forced head snap to a front headlock, yanking Telles to the ground with a quick side cradle attempt to a very easy spin behind. Hunter showed versatility as he quickly jumped to the opposite side of Telles trapping his arm while driving a near side knee lift that took Telles right to his back. Hunter then pinned Telles to earn his first state title with dominance. Hunter wrestled total time of 8:10 in all four of his matches at this year's state tournament.

In the Heavyweight division, first seeded senior Austin Roman of Cleveland High School took the stage pinning every one he faced on his way into the finals. His opponent was second-seeded senior Dante Norberto of Farmington High School. In the first period, Roman shrugged Norberto all over the mat displaying his power while scoring two takedowns with some back points to lead the match 6-2. In the second period, Roman took bottom hitting a quick stand up leading him into position to throw Noberto in a hip toss right to his back. Norberto quickly bellied back to base position, Roman immediately trapped Norberto's far arm and forced him to his back with a near side ankle lift that Norberto was unable to stop. Roman then pinned Norberto to earn his first state title. Roman wrestled a total of 4:19 in all four of his matches at the state tournament. Finishing with a record of 40-3, Roman had a very impressive season.

Headline Date: 3/1/2019

Article By: Anonymous