Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Morenci wrestlers, from left, senior Jarrett Saiz, freshman Noah Torres, senior Conrad Aguallo, junior Kaden Summer, sophomore Arturo Rodriguez III, senior PaulDaniel Moreno, and sophomore Andrew Castillo call for a pin by a teammate during a home dual with Globe. The Wildcats prevailed 55-19 over the Tigers (Feb. 13), 47-24 over Safford (Feb. 11), and 70-6 over Pima (Feb. 10), totaling 13 pins in 20 head-to-head wins. Morenci hosts Thatcher on Wednesday (Feb. 17) and Yuma Catholic on Saturday (Feb. 20).
Wildcats top Roughriders, Bulldogs, and Tigers during week four
By Raymundo Frasquillo
MORENCI – Two weeks remain in the regular season as Morenci welcomes Thatcher on Wednesday (Feb. 17) and Yuma Catholic on Saturday (Feb. 20). Two duals, with Eloy Santa Cruz (Feb. 24) and Saint David (Feb. 27), complete the Wildcats’ schedule.
Eight-year Morenci head coach Casey Woodall continues to prepare the Wildcats for the state qualifying meet. He is using the regular-season matches as an extension of the practice sessions and learning process. Winning is not paramount as much as working hard, doing one’s best, and being able to correct mistakes the next time on the mat.
Morenci (8-0 overall) topped the Roughriders 70-6 in Pima on Feb. 10, the Safford Bulldogs 47-24 in Morenci on Feb. 11, and the Globe Tigers 55-19 in Morenci on Feb. 13.
The Wildcats’ win percentage was 71 (20-28) in head-to-head bouts and 65 (13-20) in wins by pins. The other wins were three by major decision (8-14 points) and three by decision (3 or fewer points). Morenci’s eight losses were four by pins, one by major decision, and three by decision. Additionally, the Wildcats were awarded 12 forfeit wins and yielded two.
Individually, 16 Wildcats got at least one varsity bout in during three duals last week.
Freshman Breck Williams (106, 7-0, 1 pin), senior Marcus Morales (126/132, 6-0, 2 pins), junior Shawn Hudman (160, 6-1, 3 pins), sophomore Andrew Castillo (182/195, 3-1, 1 pin), sophomore Arturo Rodriguez III (220, 5-0, 2 pins), and junior Jericho Sanchez (285, 8-0, 3 pins) each went 3-0; junior Martin Smith (126/132/138, 5-0, 4 pins) and freshman John Provencio (145, 7-0, 2 pins) both 2-0; freshman Noah Torres (113, 6-1, 3 pins), sophomore Solomon Lucero (120, 6-1, 3 pins), freshman Michael Casillas (132/138, 6-2, 4 pins), junior Cody Torres (152, 6-2, 3 pins), and senior Jarrett Saiz (170/182, 3-1) each 2-1; and senior Conrad Aguallo (138, 0-2), senior PaulDaniel Moreno (170, 0-1), and freshman Austyn Nelson (195, 3-2, 1 pin) 0-1 apiece.
Junior Kaden Summer (170, 3-1, 2 pins), sophomore Jordan Anaya (126, 0-1), and freshmen Albert Cobas (220, 2-0) did not compete in bouts for team points.
Morenci – 55, Globe – 19
The Wildcats took four of seven head-to-head bouts and received six forfeits. The Tigers got one forfeit.
Cody Torres (152) pinned sophomore Andrew Gonzales in the first period, Casillas (138) pinned senior Jacob Gonzales in the second period, Morales posted a 12-3 major decision over junior John Martinez, Hudman decisioned junior Angel Hernandez 8-2, and Williams (103), Lucero (120), Saiz (170), Castillo (182), Rodriguez (220), and Sanchez (285) received forfeit wins.
For the Tigers, senior Seth Durbin (138) pinned Aguallo in the first period, senior Jonathon Ortega (195) notched a 12-1 major decision over Nelson, sophomore Gabriel Gonzales (112) decisioned Noah Torres 11-8, and junior Gabe-Refugio Gonzales (145) was awarded a forfeit win.
Morenci – 47, Safford – 24
The Wildcats prevailed in 8-13 head-to-head bouts with the predominate underclassmen Bulldogs. Two seniors, two juniors, a sophomore, and eight freshmen stepped on the mat for Safford. Morenci received one forfeit.
Victories for the Wildcats were first period pins by Williams (103) over freshman Kody Gluyas, Smith (126) over freshman Adryon Castillo, and Sanchez (285) over freshman Trevor Sanchez; second-period pins by Castillo (195) over freshman Gary Smith and Rodriguez (220) over senior Gonzalez Emerson; an 18-3 technical fall by Hudman (160) over senior Benjamin Peterson; a 14-8 decision by Noah Torres (113) over freshman Anthony Garrobo and a 6-2 decision by Morales (132) over junior Zion Granadas; and a forfeit for Provencio (145).
Safford’s triumphs were second-period pins by freshman Damian Rios (120) over Lucero, by junior Ray Granadas (138) over Casillas, and by junior Fernando Gonzales (182) over Saiz; and a 5-4 decision by freshman Kaleb Cordova (152) over Cody Torres and a 10-4 decision by sophomore Braxon Young (170) over Moreno.
Morenci – 70, Pima – 6
Nine Roughriders welcomed 13 Wildcats to Pima. Morenci left with eight head-to-head wins plus five forfeits.
Morenci had a first-period pin by Noah Torres (113) over freshman Logan Cluff; second-period pins by Lucero (120) over senior Hunter Cluff and Cody Torres (152) over freshman Jaxon John; a third-period pin by Smith (138) over junior Joseph Boswell; a 22-1 technical fall by Casillas (132) over freshman Hayden Blair; a 12-3 major decision by Provencio (145) over junior Mason Palmer and a 10-2 major decision by Hudman (160) over senior Dallin Preston; a 9-2 decision by Castillo (182) over freshman Pepper Hughes; and forfeits for Williams (103), Morales (126), Saiz (170), Rodriguez (220), and Sanchez (285).
