Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Breck Williams (157/165) awaits the call on a second-period pin of Tombstone sophomore Jacob Jacquay on Dec. 13. The 2-time state champion went 19-2 with 10 pins during six January meets.
Wildcats gain season-long experience in preparation
By Raymundo Frasquillo
MORENCI – The Casey Woodall-coached Morenci wrestlers host the sectional meet on Saturday, Feb. 10. Traditionally held in Willcox, the all-day event in Wildcat Memorial Gymnasium begins at 10 a.m.
A total of 143 participants from 16 different schools are scheduled to attend, with Morenci fielding a full team, Pima 13 entrants, Thatcher and Tombstone 12 apiece, Benson and San Manuel 11 each, both Tucson Catalina and Willcox 10, Tucson Andrada Polytechnic nine, Elfrida Valley Union and Globe seven, Saint David six, Bisbee and San Carlos five, Tucson Palo Verde Magnet three, and Tucson Santa Rita one.
The Wildcats prepared all season long, working hard, learning from their mistakes, and improving. They greeted 2024 by hosting a second sectional multi-meet on Jan. 3, finished the week in the “Land of Enchantment” competing in the Rio Rancho Cleveland Conflict in Cleveland on Jan. 5-6, attended a Thatcher Multi meet on Jan. 10, were in Winslow for a 2-day meet on Jan. 12-13, picked up four dual wins in Willcox on Jan. 17, and capped the month with a home dual versus Saint Johns on Jan. 23.
Twenty-two student-athletes were allowed to show what they could do in various weight classes during those meets. There were six seniors, four juniors, six sophomores, and six freshmen competing for Morenci.
The seniors were Noah Torres (144/157, 19-0, 13 pins), John Provencio (138/150, 20-0, 13 pins), Breck Williams (157/165, 19-2, 10 pins), Eli Lydolph (165/175, 1-1, 1 pin), Austyn Nelson Porter (215, 14-4, 6 pins), and Derek Jones (144/157, 6-1, 1 pin); the juniors Trent Nelson (113/120, 11-6, 7 pins), Omar Torres (138/144, 12-8, 11 pins), Demetri Perez (150, 2-0), and Hollis Corbell (190, 20-3, 10 pins); the sophomores Matthew Hernandez (120/126 8-6, 8 pins), Jesus Licano (120/126, 2-4, 1 pin), Kiano Torres (132, 14-6, 10 pins), Stosh Vineyard (150/157/165/175, 7-10, 4 pins), Antonio Aguirre (157/165/175, 4-6, 4 pins), and Isaiah Cook (285, 14-6, 6 pins); and the freshmen Mason Clark (106, 11-5), Justice Bearden (113/120, 10-7, 4 pins), Hector Vasquez (113/120, 4-1, 1 pin), Tristan Tarazon (126, 0-1), Cameron Dodson (132, 0-3), and Joel Baca (175, 5-5, 2 pins).
Morenci – 48, Saint Johns – 28 (Jan. 23)
There were 11 head-to-head bouts of which Morenci won seven by pin while Saint Johns took three by pin and a fourth via a major decision.
Additionally, both teams received a forfeit and there was a double forfeit at 126 during the dual in Wildcat Memorial Gymnasium.
Trent Nelson (113) pinned freshman Taegan Oversen in the first period, John Provencio (138) pinned junior Jackson Hansen in the first period, Noah Torres (157) pinned senior Parker Johnson in the first period, Breck Williams (165) pinned sophomore Trace Nielson in the second period, Hollis Corbell (190) pinned senior Benjamin Jessop in the first period, Austyn Porter (215) pinned senior Jackson Greer in the first period, Isaiah Cook (285) pinned senior Kevin Hernandez in the second period, and Dereck Jones (150) was awarded a forfeit.
For Saint Johns, sophomore Desmond Brown (106) pinned freshman Mason Clark in the first period, sophomore Jose Pena (144) pinned junior Omar Torres in the second period, sophomore Ammon Jessop (175) pinned sophomore Stosh Vineyard in the first period, freshman Reese Crosby (132) posted an 18-7 major decision over sophomore Kiano Torres, and sophomore Keyton Musgrove (120) was awarded a forfeit.
Morenci wound up with a 34-3 dual record.
Globe Multi (Jan. 17)
The meet was originally scheduled to be held in Globe but was moved to Willcox with the same teams attending.
Morenci defeated the Saint David six 72-12, the Globe six 84-0, the Elfrida Valley Union five 84-0, and the Willcox nine 52-30. The 56 possible individual bouts resulted in 26 head-to-head with the Wildcats winning 18 by pin and one by major decision. Morenci was awarded 30 forfeits.
Individually, Mason Clark (106) went 4-0, Justice Bearden (113/120, 4-0, 1 pin), Hector Vasquez (113/120, 3-1), Jesus Licano (126, 2-2, 1 pin), Kiano Torres (132, 3-1, 2 pins), John Provencio (138, 4-0, 3 pins), Omar Torres (144, 4-0, 4 pins), Noah Torres (150, 4-0, 4 pins), Stosh Vineyard (157, 3-1, 1 pin), Breck Williams (157/165, 4-0), Joel Baca (175, 2-1), Eli Lydolph (175, 1-0, 1 pin), Hollis Corbell (190, 4-0, 1 pin), Austyn Porter (215, 4-0), and Isaiah Cook (285, 3-1).
59th Doc Wright Invitational (Jan. 13)
Morenci numbered 15, with an entrant in 12 of the 14 weight classes, and placed fourth of 38 teams at the 59th Doc Wright Invitational. The Wildcats went a combined 38-24 with 26 pins.
John Provencio (138, 6-0, 3 pins) and Noah Torres (144, 5-0, 4 pins) both placed first, Hollis Corbell (190, 4-1, 2 pins) placed second, Breck Williams (157, 6-1, 5 pins) placed third, and Austyn Porter (215, 4-2, 2 pins) placed fourth.
Not placing were Trent Nelson (113, 4-2, 2 pins), Kiani Torres (132, 3-2, 2 pins), Mathew Hernandez (120, 2-2, 2 pins), Isaiah Cook (285, 2-2, 2 pins), Omar Torres (138, 1-2, 1 pin), Stosh Vineyard (165, 1-2, 1 pin), Mason Clark (106, 0-2), Justice Bearden (113, 0-2), Antonio Aguirre (165, 0-2), and Joel Baca (175, 0-2).
Noah Torres contributed 35 team points, Provencio 33.5, Breck Williams 29, Corbell 25, Porter 18, Nelson 11, Hernandez and Cook nine apiece, Kiani Torres eight, and Vineyard four.
Thatcher Multi (Jan. 10)
Seven schools were represented in the Eagle’s nest on Jan. 10, with 59 available individual participants and a total of 13 team duals taking place.
Morenci had 18 different entrants but filled only 12 classes, host Thatcher 16, Heber Mogollon 15, Bisbee and Saint David 4 each, and Tucson Santa Rita 3.
The evening finale, between Thatcher and Morenci, ended in a 42-42 deadlock with each individual bout ending in a pin or by forfeit. However, Morenci won the match by the tie-breaking criteria.
Morenci’s wins were via freshman Mason Clark (106) by forfeit, freshman Hector Vasquez (113) by second-period pin over sophomore Matthew Hernandez (120) by forfeit, junior Omar Torres (138) by second-period pin, senior Derek Jones (144) by forfeit, junior Hollis Corbell (175) by first-period pin, and sophomore Isaac Cook (285) by third-period pin.
Thatcher’s wins were at 126 by a first-period pin, 132 by a first-period pin, 150 by a first-period pin, 157 by a first-period pin, 165 by first-period pin, 190 by forfeit, and 215 by forfeit.
Five Wildcats stepped on the mat five times in junior Hollis Corbell (190, 5-0, 2 pins), senior Derek Jones (144/157, 4-1, 1 pin), sophomore Isaiah Cook (285, 5-0, 3 pins), Mason Clark (106, 4-1), and junior Omar Torres (138, 3-2, 2 pins); two four times in sophomore Matthew Hernandez (126 3-1, 3 pins) and freshman Justice Bearden (113, 3-1); two thrice in sophomore Stosh Vineyard (150/157, 1-2) and freshman Cameron Dodson (132, 0-3); four twice in junior Demetri Perez (150, 2-0), sophomore Kiano Torres (132, 2-0, 1 pin), sophomore Jesus Licano (120/126, 0-2), and sophomore Antonio Aguirre (157/165, 0-2); and five once in sophomore Cynthia Martinez (165, 1-0, 1 pin), freshman Hector Vasquez (113, 1-0, 1 pin), freshman Joel Baca (175, 1-0, 1 pin), freshman Tristan Tarazon (126, 0-1), and Eli Lydolph (165, 0-1).
The 1A Heber Mogollon Mustangs went 5-0, topping Saint David 57-18, Morenci 48-28, Thatcher 50-33, Tucson Santa Rita 72-0, and Bisbee 71-0.
Morenci (4-1) downed Bisbee 54-6, Santa Rita 54-6, Saint David 48-12, and Thatcher 43-42; Thatcher (3-2) defeated Santa Rita 69-12, Saint David 51-9, and Bisbee 64-3; Bisbee (1-3-1) defeated Saint David 18-6 and tied 12-12 with Santa Rita; Saint David (1-4) defeated Santa Rita 24-12; and Santa Rita went 0-4-1.
Conflict in Cleveland (Jan. 5-6)
It is said you are only as strong as your weakest link. There will always be someone stronger, quicker, or more knowledgeable than you.
The Wildcats got a large dose of that by participating in a two-day meet, the New Mexico Rio Rancho Cleveland Conflict in Cleveland on Jan. 5-6.
Four were done in five individual bouts, three in four bouts, four in three bouts, and three in two bouts. They went a combined 27-20 in head-to-head bouts, winning 78 (21-27) percent by pin. The other six wins were by major decision thrice, sudden victory twice, and decision once.
Individually by grade level, four Class of 2024 members John Provencio (138, 5-0, 4 pins), Noah Torres (145, 5-0, 2 pins), Breck Williams (150, 4-1, 2 pins), and Austyn Nelson Porter (215, 1-2, 1 pin) went a combined 15-3 with 10 pins; three Class of 2025 members Trent Nelson (120, 3-3, 2 pins), Hollis Corbell (190, 2-2, 2 pins), and Omar Torres (138, 1-2, 1 pin) 6-6 with five pins; five Class of 2026 members Kiano Torres (132, 2-2, 2 pins), Antonio Aguirre (175, 2-2, 2 pins), Matthew Hernandez (120, 0-2), Stosh Vineyard (165, 0-2), and Isaiah Cook (285, 0-2) 2-8 with four pins; and two Class of 2027 members Justice Bearden (113, 1-2, 1 pin) and Joel Baca (175, 1-2, 1 pin) 4-6 with four pins.
Provencio and Noah Torres both placed first and Williams second. Eleven of 14 Wildcats contributed to team scoring. Provencio added 33 points, Noah Torres 32, Williams 29, Corbell and Nelson 10 apiece, Aguirre seven, Porter and Kiano Torres six each, Baca and Bearden both four, and Omar Torres three.
Morenci placed sixth with 144 points behind first-place host Cleveland (258), second place New Mexico Albuquerque Volcano Vista (217), third place Colorado Pueblo East (186.5), fourth place New Mexico Albuquerque La Cueva (165), and fifth place Colorado Centennial Eaglecrest (162.5).
The rest of the top 10 were New Mexico Albuquerque Atrisco Heritage in seventh place with 140 points, Colorado Loveland Thompson Valley eighth (138.5), Tempe Corona del Sol ninth (135.5), and Sahuarita 10th (131.5).
A total of 48 teams from Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas made the trip.
Morenci Sectional Multi (Jan. 3)
The Wildcats are 25-2 overall in duels following six December meets and the 4-0 showing during the sectional multi-meet on Jan. 3. Morenci’s win percentage was 76 (28-9) in head-to-head bouts and 96 (27-28) by pin. The other 19 wins were forfeits.
Morenci defeated Tucson Catalina 81-0, Benson 60-21, San Manuel 65-12, and Thatcher 72-12; Thatcher was 3-1 with wins of 43-30 over Benson, 45-18 over Catalina, and 36-31 over San Manuel; Benson 2-2 with wins of 45-18 over Catalina and 36-33 over San Manuel; and San Manuel 1-3 with a 42-24 win over Catalina.
The Greenlee County boys fielded a full team plus two including five seniors, Noah Torres (144, 4-0, 2 pins), John Provencio (150, 4-0, 2 pins), Breck Williams (157/165, 4-0, 2 pins), Austyn Nelson Porter (215, 4-0, 2 pins), and Derek Jones (157, 1-0) who went unbeaten through 17 bouts and notched eight pins; three juniors, Hollis Corbell (190, 4-0, 2 pins), Trent Nelson (120, 3-1, 2 pins), and Omar Torres (138, 3-1, 3 pins) going a combined 10-2 with seven pins; five sophomores, Kiano Torres (132, 4-0, 3 pins), Matthew Hernandez (126 3-1, 3 pins), Isaiah Cook (285, 3-1), Stosh Vineyard (165, 2-2, 2 pins), Antonio Aguirre (175, 2-0, 2 pins) going 14-4 with 10 pins; and three freshmen, Mason Clark (106, 3-1), Justice Bearden (113, 2-2, 2 pins), and Joel Baca (175, 1-0) going 6-3 with two pins.
