The LAHS wrestling team took first place at the District 2-4A Duals tournament Saturday at Pojoaque Valley High School defeating Moriarty, Espanola Valley, Pojoaque Valley and Taos in head-to-head competition. Photo by George Morse/ladailypost.com
The Los Alamos High School wrestling team took first place at the District 2-4A Duals championship Saturday at Pojoaque Valley High School.
The Hilltoppers defeated Espanola Valley High School, Moriarty High School, Pojoaque Valley High School and Taos High School in head-to-head competition.
Los Alamos and Taos were the only schools participating that had wrestlers competing in every one of the 14 different weight classes.
“Last year, we qualified wrestlers for the state tournament in 13 weight classes,” Los Alamos Coach James Hatt said. “This year, we’re hoping to qualify wrestlers in all 14 classes.”
Because they fielded a full team, Los Alamos had no trouble defeating Moriarty, Pojoaque and Espanola because their opponents had to forfeit so many matches. Against the Pojoaque Elks, the Hilltoppers won by a 72-12 score. Los Alamos defeated Moriarty by a 63-18 score. Against Espanola, The Hilltoppers defeated the Espanola Valley Sundevils by a 60-24 score.
Scoring in wrestling is as follows: Pinning your opponent’s shoulders to the mat (also known as a fall) scores 6 points, winning by forfeit scores 6 points, winning by technical fall (17 points) scores 5 points, winning by major decision scores 4 points, winning by decision scores 3 points.
Los Alamos and Taos faced off in the final match of the competition. Since both teams had wrestlers in all weight classes, the margin of victory was razor-thin. Los Alamos edged Taos 42-40 on the strength of winning seven matches by pins.
Victorious wrestlers for Los Alamos against Taos were: Ben Gellis (106 pounds) pinned Taos’ Mante Chacon. Joshua Archuleta (120 pounds) pinned Taos’ Dominic Sillas. Israel Gellis (145 pounds) pinned Taos’ Jason Montoya. Liam Harper (152 pounds) pinned Taos’ Cameron Gonzales. Damian Martinez (160 pounds) pinned Taos’ Roman Quintana. Ty Nieto (170 pounds) pinned Taos’ Justin Good. Dylan Irish (195 pounds) pinned Taos’ Clayton Demas.
Also competing for the Hilltoppers were Isaiah Maestas (113 pounds), Nathan Harper (126 pounds), Devan Mayfield (132 pounds), Joseph Archuleta (138 pounds), Mateo Martinez (182 pounds), Dimitri Bullock (220 pounds) and Milo Light (heavyweight).
Los Alamos will host the District 2-4A wrestling tournament Saturday. The top three finishers in each individual weight class will qualify for the Class 4A state wrestling tournament Feb. 22 and Feb. 23 at the Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho.
Los Alamos’ Dylan Irish pins Taos’ Clayton Demas at 195 pounds. Photo by George Morse/ladailypost.com
Los Alamos’ Ty Nieto pins Taos’ Justin Good at 170 pounds. Photo by George Morse/ladailypost.com
Los Alamos’ Liam Harper pins Taos’ Cameron Gonzales at 152 pounds. Photo by George Morse/ladailypost.com
