Raymundo Frasquillo File Photo/Gila Herald: Marcus Morales earned 26 team points while posting three pins for his first section title in 2019. His pins totaled 5:39, in 1:55, in 28 seconds, and in 3:16. He recently inked a letter of intent to attend Arizona Christian University next season.
By Raymundo Frasquillo
MORENCI – Class of 2021 member Marcus Morales will be donning the colors of the Arizona Christian University Firestorm next season, ACU Red and Firestorm Yellow.
The three-time state and sectional placer signed a letter of intent to attend the private Christian school on Nov. 30. The Morenci senior has a combined 19-5 overall record with 14 pins in the post-season, 9-1 with 9 pins at sectionals, and 10-4 with 5 pins at state meets.
Morales finished third in the section meet (3-1, 3 pins) and fifth at state (4-2, 2 pins) as a freshman in 2018, as the section champion (3-0, 3 pins) and third at state (3-1, 1 pin) as a sophomore in 2019, and as the section champion (3-0, 3 pins) and state runner-up (3-1, 2 pin) as a junior in 2020. He contributed 66 team points in the sectionals and 58 in the state meets.
His parents, Josette and Leonard Morales, as well as Morenci head coach Casey Woodall and assistants Travis Torres and Tim Williams were on hand for the signing.
Morales will join MHS grads Francisco “Frankie” Gonzalez (2017) and Jacob Viera (2018). Gonzalez (165) is currently a junior education major and Viera (174) a sophomore biology major, both transferring from New Mexico Highlands University.
The 2021 season marks ACU wrestling’s second under program originator and head coach Travis Patrick. The coed Glendale school had an enrollment of 870 in 2020.
The mission of ACU athletics is to empower student-athletes to pursue victory in competition, academic excellence in the classroom, and faithful service in the community. ACU is transforming culture with the Truth by creating an uncommon sport culture that competes according to God’s word, by God’s power, and for God’s glory.
Coaches mentor student-athletes to be faithful Disciples of Christ, servant leaders in their communities, and lifelong learners.
