Tigers prepare for individual districts
It was a foregone conclusion that the Taos Tigers wrestling team wouldn’t stand a chance in the District 4-2A Duals against Española, Los Alamos, Moriarty and Pojoaque on Saturday (Feb. 5). But not from a disparity of talent; it’s simply a numbers game.
The duals format is not kind to the Tigers. For Taos to be competitive, they would have to win out in the weight classes of their six listed wrestlers and then be lucky enough for the other school to forfeit enough matches for Taos to have a better overall score as a team. Taos did manage to overcome the odds when they beat Pojoaque’s wrestling team. There was even a sense of humor to the affair, as the coaches for both Taos and Pojoaque would sarcastically congratulate their wrestlers after winning a match by forfeit.
The matches at the District Duals still hold important value to the wrestlers, as good practice one week before the District 4-2A individuals tournament held at Pojoaque High School on Feb. 12.
Coach Robert Valencia is optimistic of the individual format, “We’ll see what next week brings.
Man, I know that out of the six guys, we can be top three, easy. So you know, I’m looking forward to qualifying all six guys.”
There’s evidence to back up the claim. Although 1-3 as a team, the heavyweights for Taos did well overall. Lucas Fillis went undefeated for the day. His first bout was with Sundevil Adrian Padilla (12-18). The two wrestlers had previously met in the championship round of the Al Salazar Memorial Tournament, in a grueling match that ended by decision, 10-4, in favor of Fillis. Once again the two wrestlers went the whole distance. This time around Fillis was a bit more incisive, a bit more in control. In the first period he shut Padilla down, not allowing him to win any points, 9-0. Fillis kept up the pressure and won by decision 11-2. Fillis got a freebie against Los Alamos. He won against Moriarty’s Cody Helms by pin.
In the match against Pojoaque’s Kenneth Arenas, Fillis exhibited overpowering strength. It started off as a tussle for leverage, and once Arenas got exhausted Fillis positioned himself over the top for the pin. Arenas seemed to make an effort to avoid the pin but his arms eventually spread out in resignation.
Uriel Chavez went 3-1 for the day. Zackary Schwarzkopf of Los Alamos (3-3) had a miserable time facing off against Chavez. Everything went wrong for him. He was tossed around like a ragdoll. At one point his mouthpiece was inadvertently slapped out of his mouth. This did not stop the match. Not too long after the flying projectile landed somewhere on the mat, Chavez got the pin for the win. Schwarzkopf had to be attended to by the Los Alamos coach for a nose bleed.
Chavez defeated Moriarty’s Corban Pearce by pin. Chavez got a freebie against Pojoaque. He did struggle against Española’s Jacob Martinez (26-16). Martinez was quick and technically sound, giving Chavez fits. On first choice, Martinez started with the top position on Chavez. When the whistle blew Chavez executed a swift acrobatic escape, by casting aside the hands of Martinez and quickly going into a handstand forward roll. Back in the neutral position Martinez dominated and got the pin.
In between team matchups, the coaches of each team took time to recognize their seniors. When the Sundevils’ coach speech was over he gave the reins to Valencia.
“Eliam’s been around since the middle school program, then came up with us. Uriel just came out this year as a senior. He came out as a freshman. It wasn’t for him, he came back. Every time in practice he says, ‘I should have just stayed with it, coach.’ It happens. But he’s done really well.”
“Lucas Fillis, he’s been wrestling for me since he was a freshman for Taos. Lucas is a special young man to the sport of wrestling. To see him blossom as a human being, as an individual, is amazing. From being so quiet and not engaging in anything. And now he’s the life of the party and all that good stuff. Lucas, it’s been a pleasure coaching you, and Eliam, and Uriel, we’ll miss you. You guys have plans of going to college. We have UNM, Eliam; New Mexico Highlands is Lucas; UNM for Uriel Chavez. Thank you guys. Thank you guys so much.”