Morenci wrestlers' dual in Pima on Wednesday; host Safford on Thursday, and Globe on Saturday

Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Morenci 220-pound sophomore Arturo Rodriguez III awaits the official call for a first-period pin over Willcox senior Aaron Moran. Willcox left Wildcat Memorial Gymnasium with a 45-19 loss on Feb. 3. The Wildcats head to Pima on Wednesday (Feb. 10) and host Safford on Thursday (Feb. 11) and Globe on Saturday (Feb. 13).

Cowboys, Coyotes, Bobcats, and Mustangs, bow to Wildcats

By Raymundo Frasquillo

MORENCI – The Casey Woodall-coached Morenci wrestlers dual in Pima on Wednesday, Feb. 10, and host both Safford on Thursday (Feb. 11) and Globe on Saturday (Feb. 13). Their remaining regular-season home duals are with Thatcher (Feb. 17), Yuma Catholic (Feb. 20), Eloy Santa Cruz (Feb. 24), and Saint David (Feb. 27). The Feb. 4 dual in Saint Johns was postponed.

Woodall uses the regular-season matches as an extension of the practice sessions and learning process, checking if improvement and progress are taking place.

To date, the Wildcats (5-0 overall) have downed the Cowboys 81-0 in Camp Verde on Jan. 20, the Phoenix Arizona Lutheran Coyotes 47-30 in Morenci on Jan. 23, the Bobcats 28-0 in Benson on Jan. 27, the Mogollon Mustangs 63-18 in Heber on Jan. 30, and the Willcox Cowboys 45-19 in Morenci on Feb. 3.

The Wildcats have triumphed in 30 of 39 head-to-head bouts with 23 of 30 by pins. The win percentage is 77 for both. The other hand-raising results are three by major decision (8-14 points), three by decision (3 or fewer points), and one in overtime. Morenci’s nine losses have been seven by pins, one by major decision, and one by decision. Additionally, the Wildcats were awarded 19 forfeit wins and yielded one.

Individually, 18 different Wildcats, seniors Marcus Morales (3-0, 2 pins), Jarrett Saiz (1-0), and Conrad Aguallo (0-1); juniors Martin Smith (3-0, 2 pins), Cody Torres (4-1, 1 pin), Shawn Hudman (3-1, 2 pins), Kaden Summer (3-1, 2 pins), and Jericho Sanchez (5-0, 2 pins); sophomores Solomon Lucero (4-0, 2 pins), Arturo Rodriguez III (2-0, 1 pin), Jordan Anaya (0-1), and Andrew Castillo (0-1); and freshmen Breck Williams (4-0), Noah Torres (4-0, 2 pins), Michael Casillas (4-1, 2 pins), John Provencio (5-0, 2 pins), Austyn Nelson (3-1, 1 pin), and Albert Cobas (2-0), have stepped on the mat for a varsity match.

Morenci – 45, Willcox – 19

*Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Morenci 8th-year head coach Casey Woodall shouts instructions to the Wildcats during their individual bouts.*

Woodall pointed out his observations of the individual pairings to the Wildcats during a team meeting following the dual.

“I thought we wrestled well,” the two-time All-American and three-time Academic All-American said. “We’re showing our potential.”

First-period pins were recorded by Lucero (120) over freshman Colton Hart and Sanchez (285) over freshman Izzy Villegas; second-period pins by Casillas (138) over freshman David Allred and Rodriguez (220) over senior Aaron Moran; an 11-5 decision by Provencio (145) over freshman Kash Macumber; and forfeit wins awarded to Williams (103), Noah Torres (112), and Smith (132).

For Willcox, junior John Collins (126) pinned Anaya in the second period, freshman Oren Allsup (152) decisioned Cody Torres 8-7, senior Ote Allsup (160) posted an 18-4 major decision over Hudman, and freshman Ed Tingle (182) received a forfeit win.

There was a double forfeit in both the 170 and 195 weight classes.

Morenci – 63, Mogollon – 18

Ten Mustangs stepped on the mat against a full team (14) of Wildcats. Morenci received four forfeits.

Noah Torres (113), Morales (126), Provencio (145), and Summer (170) notched first-period pins; Lucero (120) and Hudman (160) second-period pins; Cody Torres (152) a 10-8 overtime decision; and Williams (103), Nelson (195), Rodriguez (220), and Sanchez (285) were awarded forfeit wins.

Casillas (132) and Castillo (182) were pinned in the first period, and Aguallo (138) in the second period.

Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: John Provencio figures out his next move against Willcox freshman Kash Macumber. The Morenci 145-pound freshman posted an 11-5 decision for an individual record of 5-0 with two pins after five duals.

Morenci – 28, Benson – 0

There were not many wrestlers available for Benson so only five Wildcats made the trip. One of the Bobcats became ill while Morenci was en route and did not weigh in.

Nelson (195) and Sanchez (285) posted first-period pins, Casillas (138) a second-period pin, Provencio (145) a 21-7 major decision, and a forfeit win was awarded to Cody Torres (152).

Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Michael Casillas works on a second-period pin of Willcox freshman David Allred. The Morenci 138-pound freshman has a 4-1 record with three pins. He is 2-1 with a pin in the 132 weight class.

Morenci – 47, Arizona Lutheran – 30

Hudman (160) had a first-period pin and both Smith (138) and Provencio (145) second-period pins; Noah Torres (113) and Cody Torres (152) major decisions of 15-2 and 13-4, respectively; Casillas (132) a 7-3 decision; and Williams (103), Lucero (120), Morales (126), Cobas (220), and Sanchez (285) forfeit wins.

Castillo (182) was pinned in the first period and both Summer (170) and Nelson (195) in the second period.

Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Jordan Anaya tries to get an advantage over Willcox junior John Collins. The Morenci 126-pound sophomore led 13-0 before succumbing by a second-period pin during his initial bout of the season.

Morenci – 81, Camp Verde – 0

First-period pins were posted by Noah Torres (120), Casillas (132), Cody Torres (152), and Saiz (182); second-period pins by Morales (126), Smith (138), and Summer (170); a 4-0 decision by Hudman (160); and forfeit wins awarded to Williams (103), Lucero (120), Provencio (145), Nelson (195), Cobas (220), and Sanchez (285).