Criminals lead Div. III after Day 1
Yuma High is in first place after one day at the Division III Wrestling State Championships in Prescott Valley.
The Criminals (71 points), who took second a year ago, have a slight lead over each of their three biggest competitors for the title; Safford (67) is in second, Walden Grove (66.5) third and Show Low (65.5) fourth.
Six Criminals went 2-0 Friday to reach today’s semis: Jonathan Ruiz (113), Jose Bugarin (126), Leo Velasquez (132), Aidan Irwin (152), Jacob Sanchez (170) and Oscar Vega (285). All but one of the 12 Criminals who went to state are still alive, as five — Mario Bugarin (106), Erick Cervantes (145), Servando Campos (160), Jayden Dobson (195) and Shane Garcia (220) — will compete in consolation matches today.
By comparison, Safford has eight wrestlers still alive (6 in semis, 2 consolation), Walden Grove has 11 (5 in semis, 6 consolation) and Show Low also has 11 (5 in semis, 6 consolation).
At the Division IV level, Yuma Catholic has seven of its eight wrestlers still alive (2 in semis, 5 consolation), Antelope has two (1 in semis, 1 consolation) and San Pasqual has one (in semis).
Austin Blomquist (132) and Richard Molina (170) are the two semifinalists for the Shamrocks, who are eighth place as a team with 38 points. Miguel Loya (113), Dru Martin (138), Eddie Soto (152), McConnell Martinez (160) and Sam Cheung (182) all went 1-1 on the day.
Brandon Jaime (195) reached the semifinals for Antelope, which sent three wrestlers to state; Christian Rendon (126) went 1-1.
Nicholas Steele (145), the only San Pasqual wrestler at state, is also in the Division IV semis.
The Division III and IV tournaments will resume today at 10 a.m., and will conclude with medal rounds beginning at 4 p.m.