Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Two-time state champion Breck Williams (157) looks to make a move on Willcox senior David Allred. The Morenci senior pinned Allred in the first period and Tombstone sophomore Jacob Jacquay in the second period on Dec. 13. Morenci welcomes Division I Marana and New Mexico Rio Rancho Cleveland on Friday, Dec. 22.
Wildcats continue to prepare for state meet qualifier
By Raymundo Frasquillo
MORENCI – The Casey Woodall-coached Morenci wrestlers host a multi-meet on Friday, Dec. 22. Originally intended as a four-way meet, one of the would-be participants canceled out a day earlier, so instead it is a three-team meet. The Division I Marana Tigers and the New Mexico District 5A – I Rio Rancho Cleveland Storm, both of which outnumber the Wildcats in enrollment, are scheduled to join the Wildcats. Weigh-ins are at 2 p.m., and matches begin an hour later.
Marana tied for sixth of 37 teams during 2023 and finished 13th of 33 a year earlier. Cleveland finished no lower than fifth during the previous 10 seasons, as “Land of Enchantment” state champions twice in 6A (2016, 2017), second twice (2019 in 6A, 2015 in 5A), third in 6A (2018), fourth thrice (2014, 2021, 2022), and fifth twice (2020, 2023).
The Wildcats are 20-1 overall in duals following four meets and several of them have distinguished themselves, their families, school, and community with their performances.
Placements and records aren’t a big deal to Coach Woodall as long as the Wildcats do their best and improve every time they set foot on the mat. It is all in preparation for the state qualifying meet in February.
Morenci has earned 10 team state titles, the three most recent, and has 72 individual champions during the program’s 50 years.
The 2023 season had the Wildcats earning their fifth title in 10 years under Woodall, the 10th in the most recent 24 seasons, and the second three-peat. The Wildcats were also the state champions in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2016, 2017, 2021, and 2022.
It was also the 11th year three or more individual Wildcats emerged as class champions, the fifth time for three (1999, 2001, 2006, 2016, 2023). Four individual titles were earned four times (2000, 2002, 2003, 2017) and five twice (2021, 2022).
Morenci finished in the Division IV top five in each of the most recent 10 seasons (2014-23), with the lowest being fifth during Woodall’s initial season in 2014. The Wildcats were third (2019), runners-up thrice (2015, 2018, 2019), and champions five times (2016-17, 2021-23).
In the same 10-year span, Morenci placed 64 percent (78-122) of its state meet entrants, with only six exiting after two bouts without contributing team points. The Wildcats have won 65 percent (351-536) of their individual bouts, with 55 percent (194-351) by pins; and earned two team titles without having an individual champion.
There have been 24 champions, 19 runners-up, 13 in third place, 12 in fourth place, five in fifth place, and five in sixth place. The entrants have been 23 as freshmen, with one ending a champion; 32 as sophomores, with eight champions; 33 as juniors, with seven champions; and 34 as seniors, with eight champions.
Currently, Class of 2024 members Breck Williams (106 in 2021, 113 in 2022), Noah Torres (126 in 2022, 138 in 2023), and John Provencio (138 in 2022, 150 in 2023) have two state titles apiece.
The Morenci 2024 roster numbers 22, with six seniors, four juniors, seven sophomores, and five freshmen. Class of 2024 members donning singlets include Noah Torres (144, 21-0, 17 pins), John Provencio (152, 20-0, 13 pins), Breck Williams (157, 19-1, 15 pins), Austyn Nelson Porter (215, 12-2, 10 pins), Derek Jones (152/165, 2-0), and Eli Lydolph (175, 1-6, 1 pin); Class of 2025 members include Hollis Corbel (190, 19-2, 15 pins), Trent Nelson (126, 10-2, 10 pins), Omar Torres (144/150, 2-0), and Demetri Perez (157, 1-0, 1 pin); Class of 2026 members include Merrik Williams (126, 10-4, 10 pins), Isaiah Cook (285, 10-4, 9 pins), Kiano Torres (132/138, 12-6, 8 pins), Stosh Vineyard (165/175, 8-6, 3 pins), Antonio Aguirre (165/175, 4-0, 2 pins), Jesus Licano (120, 4-2), and Matthew Hernandez (126/132, 3-4, 1 pin); and Class of 2027 members include Mason Clark (106, 13-8, 5 pins), Joel Baca (165/175/190, 7-2, 4 pins), Justice Bearden (113, 6-6, 2 pins), Tristan Taraza (120, 2-1), and Hector Vasquez (113/120, 2-4, 1 pin).
The Wildcats end the month in the 2-day Prescott-held Mile High Challenge on Dec. 29-30.
Morenci Sectional Multi (Dec. 13)
The Wildcats defeated Tucson Palo Verde Magnet 72-0, Pima 62-18, Tombstone 63-12, and Willcox 66-15 on Dec. 13.
Seventeen different Wildcats got on the mat and their individual results were freshman Mason Clark (106, 3-1), freshman Justice Bearden (113, 3-1, 1 pin), freshman Hector Vasquez (120, 1-0, 1 pin), freshman Tristan Taraza (120, 2-1), junior Trent Nelson (126, 3-0, 3 pins), sophomore Matthew Hernandez (126/132, 4-0, 1 pin), sophomore Kiano Torres (132/138, 4-0, 2 pins), senior Noah Torres (144, 4-0, 3 pins), senior John Provencio (152, 3-0, 3 pins), senior Derek Jones (152, 1-0), senior Breck Williams (157, 3-0, 2 pins), junior Demetri Perez (157, 1-0, 1 pin), freshman Joel Baca (165/175, 3-1, 1 pin), sophomore Antonio Aguirre (165/175, 3-0, 1 pin), senior Eli Lydolph (175, 0-1), junior Hollis Corbel (190, 4-0, 2 pins), and senior Austyn Nelson Porter (215, 3-1, 2 pins).
Morenci – 66, Willcox – 15
There were 56 individual matches (14 x 4) available in Morenci, with 21 forfeits, 19 wins, and two losses for the Wildcats, and three being double forfeits or no entrant in three weight classes. Of the 32 head-to-head bouts, the Wildcats won 26 or 81 percent (26-32) in posting 19 first-period pins, three second-period pins, a technical fall, two decisions, and a win by default. The win by fall percentage was (23-26).
Clark (106) won by forfeit, Bearden (113) won by forfeit, Taraza (120) won by forfeit, Nelson (126) pinned freshman Eli Nelson in the first period, Hernandez (132) pinned sophomore Joseph Sanchez in the first period, Kiano Torres (138) pinned freshman Nathan Riggs in the first period, Noah Torres (144) pinned freshman Kaleb Cooke in the first period, Provencio (152) pinned freshman Anthony Morales in the first period, Breck Williams (157) pinned senior David Allred in first period, Baca (165) won by forfeit, and Corbel (190) won by forfeit.
For Willcox, senior Kash Macumber (175) pinned Lydolph in the second period, senior Ed Tingle (215) decisioned Porter 7-5, and junior Travis Larson (285) won by forfeit.
Morenci – 63, Tombstone – 12
Bearden (113) pinned senior Daren Tyler in the second period, Vasquez (120) won by forfeit, Nelson (126) pinned freshman Miles Woodard in the first period, Hernandez (132) decisioned freshman Roland Enos 14-7, Kiano Torres (138) pinned freshman Austin Anderson in the first period, Noah Torres (144) pinned senior Kazdyn Gowen in the first period, Provencio (152) pinned junior Dakota Estrada in the first period, Breck Williams (157) pinned sophomore Jacob Jacquay in the second period, Aguirre (175) pinned freshman Jayden Rogers in the first period, Corbel (190) pinned junior Caiden Bidgood in the first period, and Porter (215) pinned sophomore Robert Carney in the first period.
For Tombstone, sophomore Wyatt Eddy (106) pinned Clark in the second period and junior Coby Jones (165) pinned Baca in the third period.
There was a double forfeit at 285.
Morenci – 62, Pima – 18
Clark (106) won by forfeit, Nelson (126) pinned freshman Oliver McCray in first period, Hernandez (132) won by forfeit, Kiano Torres (138) won by forfeit, Noah Torres (144) pinned freshman Adam Bryce in first period, Provencio (152) won by 17-2 technical fall over senior Hayden Blair, Breck Williams (157) won by forfeit, Baca (165) won by forfeit, Aguirre (175) decisioned sophomore Brett Flowers 7-5, Corbel (190) pinned freshman Eli Rogers in first period, Porter (215) pinned sophomore Camden Bryce in first period.
For Pima, junior Aiden Espinoza (113) pinned Bearden in the first period, sophomore Kyler Reed (120) pinned Taraza in the first period, and junior Brock Hawes (285) won by forfeit.
Morenci – 72, Palo Verde Magnet – 0
The Wildcats shut out the Titans and there were double forfeits in the 138 and 285 weight classes.
Clark (106) won by forfeit, Bearden (113) won by forfeit, Vasquez (120) pinned junior Nicholas Clark in the first period, Hernandez (126) won by forfeit, Kiano Torres (132) won by forfeit, Noah Torres (144) won by forfeit, Jones (152) won by default over senior Christian Dacasin, Perez (157) pinned senior Sabien Madison in second period, Aguirre (165) won by forfeit, Baca (175) pinned freshman Isaac Palacios in first period, Corbel (190) won by forfeit, and Porter (215) won by forfeit.
Marana Duels (Dec. 8-9)
Morenci (6-0) won each of its four pool matches, a semifinal, and topped host Marana for first place during the 2-day, 20-team meet on Dec. 8-9.
The Wildcats defeated Tucson Pueblo Magnet 69-6, Tucson Flowing Wells 58-21, Texas El Paso Coronado 65-17, Sierra Vista Buena 72-12, Vail Cienega 63-15, and Marana 46-27.
Seven Wildcats placed during the individual portion of the meet, three were the best in the meet by finishing at the top of their weight class, and one earned the Outstanding Wrestler award. Seniors Noah Torres (144, 9-0, 7 pins), John Provencio (152, 9-0, 4 pins), and Breck Williams (157, 9-0, 8 pins) each placed first. Provencio was tabbed the outstanding wrestler in the middleweights.
Juniors Trent Nelson (120, 7-2, 7 pins) and Hollis Corbel (190, 8-1, 7 pins) both placed second, senior Austyn Nelson Porter (215, 8-2, 8 pins) placed third, and freshman Mason Clark (106, 5-5, 4 pins) placed sixth.
Non-placers included freshman Justice Bearden (113, 3-5, 1 pin), sophomore Merrik Williams (126, 5-1, 5 pins), sophomore Matthew Hernandez (126, 0-2), sophomore Kiano Torres (132, 5-3, 4 pins), junior Omar Torres (144/150, 2-0), sophomore Stosh Vineyard (165/175, 4-4, 1 pin), freshman Joel Baca (175, 3-1, 2 pins), sophomore Antonio Aguirre (175, 1-0, 1 pin), and sophomore Isaiah Cook (285, 6-2, 5 pins).
Other participating teams included Surprise Willow Canyon, Chandler Basha, Tucson Salpointe Catholic, and Texas El Paso Burges in Group 2; Yuma Gila Ridge, Marana Mountain View, Texas El Paso Montwood, Chandler Hamilton, and Tucson Canyon del Oro in Group 3; and Tucson Mica Mountain, Terxas El Paso Pebble Hills, Prescott, and Yuma in Group 4.
Gila Ridge defeated Cienega 41-31 for third place, Mountain View defeated Flowing Wells 42-36 for fifth place, Mica Mountain defeated Willow Canyon 51-27 for seventh place, Basha defeated Buena 42-26 for ninth place, Montwood defeated Pebble Hills 39-33 for 11th place, Hamilton defeated Prescott 48-30 for 13th place, Salpointe defeated Pueblo Magnet 50-30 for 15th place, Coronado defeated Canyon del Oro 39-37 for 17th place, and Burgess defeated Yuma 42-36 to finish 19th.
Benson Sectional Multi (Dec. 6)
The Wildcats (4-0) defeated San Carlos 78-6, Tucson Catalina 66-18, San Manuel 56-24, and host Benson 46-27 on Dec. 6.
Individual results were unavailable.
Peoria Liberty Classic (Dec. 1-2)
Morenci went 6-1 during the two-day meet, toppling Peoria Centennial 41-36, Phoenix Cortez 44-12, Scottsdale Desert Mountain 51-12, Glendale Ironwood 42-33, Maricopa 54-30, and Phoenix Thunderbird 55-18 in their season opening duels on Dec. 1. The next day, Morenci succumbed 24-59 to Waddell Canyon View with 24 points yielded on forfeits.
Eight of 14 Wildcats placed individually, seniors Noah Torres (144, 8-0, 7 pins) and John Provencio (152, 8-0, 6 pins) placed first, senior Breck Williams (157, 7-1, 5 pins) and junior Hollis Corbel (190, 7-1, 6 pins) placed third, sophomore Stosh Vineyard (165, 4-2, 2 pins) and freshman Mason Clark (106, 5-2, 1 pin) placed fourth, and sophomores Jesus Licano (120, 4-2) and Isaiah Cook (285, 4-2, 4 pins) placed sixth.
Non-placers included freshman Hector Vasquez (113/120, 1-4), sophomore Merrik Williams (126, 5-3, 5 pins), sophomore Kiano Torres (132, 3-3, 2 pins), senior Derek Jones (165, 1-0), freshman Joel Baca (190, 1-0, 1 pin), and senior Eli Lydolph (175, 1-5, 1 pin).
