Wrestling: Raiders, Hawks, Crims win sectional titles

Kofa produces 10 state qualifiers; Shamrocks get 8, Rams 3, Warriors 1

The Cibola wrestling team had an overwhelming Division I Section II victory Saturday at Skyline High School. The Raiders’ 230.5 points were more than 80 higher than second-place Boulder Creek.

In addition to the team win, Cibola qualified 12 of a possible 14 for the state tournament, which begins Thursday in Prescott Valley.

Of those 12 qualifiers, seven were individual champions and will receive a top-four seed at state: Juan Sierra (106 pounds), Aaron Gandara (152), David Castaneda (170), Sebastian Torres (182), Mario Neblina (195), Anthony Phillips (220) and Tommy Mommer (heavyweight).

The other five who placed in the top four and qualified for state were Russell Phelps (113), Ben Torres (120), Victor Chavez (126), Gabriel Castaneda (145) and Zeke Guerrero (160). The sectional result has Cibola coach Mike Jankowski feeling optimistic about the Raiders’ chances at a state title. They placed fourth and third the last two seasons, respectively. “We’re still going after it,” Jankowski said in a phone interview. “If we get eight guys in the finals and if we can place obviously those eight. All we have to do is be a little bit better than everyone in the section. We can sneak a few more in there, and we have a shot at a title.”

Gila Ridge wins section tournament

The Hawks won the Division II Section III tournament Saturday at Desert Edge in Goodyear, and 10 wrestlers qualified for the state tournament. Koby Fike (heavyweight) and Taylor Deibert (195) were individual champions. The other eight state qualifiers, who finished in the top four at the sectional tourney, were Gabriel Golding (106), Christian Gerber (113), Ty Moreno (126), Frank Widman (138), Cooper Smith (145), Nathan Hoogendoorn (152), Justin Rhoades (160) and Wyatt Robinson (182).

Criminals sending 12 to state

On Friday, Yuma High won the Division III Section III tournament by nearly 90 points in its third straight section title.

The Criminals had six individual champions: defending state champ Jonathan Ruiz (113), Jose Bugarin (126), Leo Velazquez (132), Aidan Irwin (152), Jacob Sanchez (170) and Oscar Vega (heavyweight).

Six more Yuma High wrestlers qualified for state, bringing the team total to 12 for the D-III meet, starting Friday in Prescott Valley. Mario Bugarin (106) and Erick Cervantes (145) placed second. Servando Campos (160), Carlos Nunez (182), Jayden Dobson (195) and Shane Garcia (220) came in third.

Kofa takes 3rd in D-I S-I

At the Division I Section I tournament Saturday in Mesa, Kofa produced 10 state qualifiers and took third as a team while San Luis finished last and had no placers.

The Kings had four individual champions: Aaron Valenzuela (113), Isai Alonso (120), Anthony Morales (138) and Carlos Urias (152). Also going to state will be: Juan Alvarado (2nd at 106), Andres Conchas (2nd at 145), Jose Rascon (2nd at 182),