Four Miner wrestlers capture honors at Coolidge Invitational

Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailby feather
wrestling.jpg

Coolidge placers are (in no order) Colten Smith, Franky Renteria, Francisco Medina and Marco Salas. Submitted

By Andrew Luberda

San Manuel Miner

Colten Smith won the championship of his division at the 18th Annual Coolidge “Lions Club” Invitational last weekend. Joining Smith with individual honors were Franky Renteria (3rd Place), Francisco Medina (3rd Place), and Marco Salas (4th Place). Smith, who won his fourth championship overall at the Coolidge Invitational, was 8 – 0 at the meet. He was also won his third Outstanding Wrestling Award.

The Miners competed in the field of 12 teams and finished with a dual record of 2 – 4. They defeated San Tan Foothills (33 – 29) and Valley Christian (43 – 42). The Miners suffered losses to Higley (29 – 48), Vista Grande (27 – 52), Casa Grande (21 – 46), and Fountain Hills (31 – 48).

Head coach Daniel Najera likes how the team has progressed throughout the season, but still sees areas that need improvement. Najera wants his wrestlers to work on their foot attacks and explosiveness.

“We’re back on track and we’re where we need to be at this point of the season,” he said. “(The boys) are wrestling hard and having fun. We had a great tournament.”

With four weeks left before the state tournament, Najera wants to see his wrestlers continue to improve and work on the small details.

Najera announced that Francisco Medina (132 lbs) was named Wrestler of the Week. Medina was 11 – 1 last week and finished third at the Coolidge Invitational. Najera said Medina has been working with coaches on wrestling a mistake-free, perfect match. It’ll take that type of match for Medina to achieve success at the state tournament. That is something Najera feels Francisco is more than capable of. In addition to his success on the mat, Medina puts in the work off of it by running a mile before practice and following his coaches’ instructions. The coaches recognize his work ethic and are proud to see him have success.

admin (8132 Posts)


Facebooktwitterby feather
Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailby feather

Comments are closed.

  • Additional Stories

    Valerie Garcia-Denogean honored at ASU football game

    November 20th, 2023
    by

      On Oct. 28, during the Sun Devil ‘Shout Out’ at the ASU Sun Devils football game, Superior’s very own […]


    Alfred Trejo Jr.

    October 17th, 2023
    by

        Alfred (Al) Trejo Jr., 65, of Oracle, AZ passed away in his home on Oct. 10, 2023. He […]


    Hayden-Winkelman Little League officially opens 2023 season

    May 1st, 2023
    by

          Over the weekend the Hayden Winkleman Little League had opening ceremonies for its 54th year of Little […]


    Hayden ranked first in 1A East

    May 1st, 2023
    by

    By Nathaniel A. Lopez   The Hayden baseball team played some solid ball on the field last week.   The […]


  • Additional Stories

    Lady Bearcats win strong against Duncan, Baboquivari, Valley Union

    May 1st, 2023
    by

    By Nathaniel A. Lopez   It was a busy week for the Ray softball team, who played four games last […]


    Superior volleyball to kick off season with home game

    August 26th, 2022
    by

      The Superior High School volleyball team will prepare to take to the court on Thursday, Aug. 25, with a […]


    Panthers face tough adversary in first game of the season

    August 26th, 2022
    by

      Last Friday, the Superior High School football team kicked off their 2022 season, traveling to a game against the […]


    San Manuel kicks off season with a win

    August 26th, 2022
    by

      The San Manuel high school football team kicked-off their 2022 season with their first official game last Friday, Aug. […]


  • Copperarea

  • Southeast Valley Ledger