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Miner State Placers (Submitted photo)
The Miners traveled to Prescott this past weekend to compete at the Division IV Arizona State Wrestling Championships. Eight Miners suited up against the state’s best wrestlers. Camp Verde who crowned five State Champions won the team championship. Defending State Champions St. Johns placed second with three individual State Champions. Morenci came in third as the Miners finished 11th out of 41 schools.
Colten Smith, placing third, earned his third state medal. Adrian Torres placing fourth earned his second state medal and Martin Rodriguez placing fifth, also earned his second state medal.
“Our boys came out strong in the first round winning six out of eight matches,” said head coach Daniel Najera. “A few winnable matches got away from us early in the tournament but we bounced back and battled in the consolation rounds. We peaked at the right time for this tournament but one mistake will cost you a match at state. Everyone wants to win and no one quits or gives up. Our coaching staff is very proud of how hard these boys trained and performed this season. We will return seven state qualifiers next season. We’re definitely looking forward to working hard this offseason. The boys want to get bigger, faster and stronger and have already set individual and team goals for next year.”
The Miner coaching staff would like to thank everyone who helped out and supported our wrestlers this year. “Your help made a huge impact and helped our program have another great season,” Najera said. “Thank you.”
Individual results:
145 lbs: Colten Smith- 3rd place
152 lbs: Adrian Torres- 4th place
132 lbs: Martin Rodriguez- 5th place
120 lbs: Anthony Lopez, LBF vs Northwest Christian, LBD 9-14 vs Many Farms.
126 lbs: Cisco Medina, WBD 6-3 vs Parker, LBT 6-22 vs Thatcher, LBT 2-17 vs Wilcox.
132 lbs: Martin Rodriguez, WBD 7-5 vs St. John’s, LBF vs Camp Verde, WBT 17-0 vs Grey Hills, WBF vs Morenci, LBF vs Wilcox, WBD vs Holbrook.
138 lbs: Bryce Main, LBF vs Mogollen, WBD 7-4 vs Canyon State, LBM 1-10 vs Round Valley.
145 lbs: Colten Smith, WBF vs Valley Christian, LBF vs Round Valley, WBF vs Window Rock, WBF vs Baboquivari, WBD 4-0 vs Wickenburg, WBD 4-1 vs Yuma Catholic.
152 lbs: Adrian Torres, WBD 9-5 vs Morenci, LBD 8-10 vs Camp Verde, WBF vs Joseph City, LBD 2-5 vs Morenci.
160 lbs: Nick Wright, WBD 8-4 vs Joseph City, LBD 2-9 vs Wickenburg, LBF vs Santa Cruz.
170 lbs: Roberto Guerrero, LBM 6-18 vs Many Farms, WBD 5-4 vs Round Valley, LBF vs Camp Verde.
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