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By Andrew Luberda
San Manuel Miner
The AIA cancelled the sectional tournaments, in all divisions, throughout the state last week due to a number of wrestlers contracting a skin infection. All postseason wrestling tournament events are postponed until, at least, Friday, February 14, 2014.
According to an AIA statement, the AIA is working with public health officials to “identify the nature of the infection(s), determine how widespread this may be, and incubation period(s).”
Miners’ wrestling coach Daniel Najera is not a proponent of canceling the sectional tournament.
“It’s not fair,” he said. “Certain teams compete against higher competition throughout the season to prepare for the sectional tournament and to earn a spot in the state tournament.”
Najera added that none of the Miners’ wrestlers have any indications of the reported skin infection(s). In fact, the reports of the skin infection(s) appear to have affected a very limited number of wrestlers.
The Miners have up to five wrestlers who have been affected by the postponement. Likely top seed and undefeated Colten Smith, along with Franky Tamayo, Marco Salas, Carlos Salas, and Francisco Medina are the Miner wrestlers who have been impacted.
A further updated is expected from the AIA by 5 p.m. on Feb. 11.
For the most current updates, including the AIA’s statement from Feb. 11, please check www.facebook.com/copperarea.
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