Morenci slips past contenders with day two efforts
By Raymundo Frasquillo
PHOENIX – The Casey Woodall-coached Morenci Wildcats left the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum as the 2026 Division IV state champion, totaling 214.5 points. Saint Johns was second (169.5) and Eloy Santa Cruz third (163.5). It is the fulfillment of their season-long goal.
Following the first day results, Santa Cruz was first with 141 points, Morenci second (136.5), and Saint Johns third (127). Santa Cruz numbered six finalists, while both Saint Johns and Morenci had three apiece. Woodall did not panic; he remained confident in the Wildcats’ resolve. Morenci prevailed. The result was another state championship. The Wildcats returned to Morenci in the Sunday pre-dawn hours, without a first responder or law enforcement escort, as they had departed days earlier.
It is the 11th title for the program in its 53rd season. Morenci previously repeated (2015-16) and three-peated (2021-23) under Woodall, and has not finished lower than fifth twice (2014, 2025) during his 13 years as head coach. The Wildcats were second thrice (2015, 2018, 2020) and third twice (2019, 2024) during the same span. Thirty Wildcats have reached the top step as individual state champions.
Morenci’s other five (1999-2001, 2003, 2005) state titles were earned under 26-year (1981-2006) head coach Gilbert Padilla. There were 43 state champions during his tenure, two under Vince Buccellato (2007-08), and two under Jason Howard (2009-13).
The 2027 season was paused for a couple of days. The lifestyle and dedication began anew on Wednesday.
Morenci – 1st (214.5 points, 9/14 placed)
Morenci placed first with 214.5 points, and all 14 Wildcats provided team points.
Individually, nine of 14 Wildcats placed, three as champions, four in third place, and two in fourth place.
Junior Emerson Montes (150, 4-0), freshman Jacob Goodman (157, 4-0, 4 pins), and freshman Caden Woodall (165, 4-0, 4 pins) finished as state champions.
Montes became the program’s 76th champion, the third at 150, and the 22nd as a junior; Goodwin the 77th champion, the third at 157, and the third as a freshman; and Woodall the 78th champion, the first at 165, the fourth as a freshman, and the second father-son duo. His father, Casey, was the 30th champion, the second at 189, the 10th as a junior in 2001, the 34th champion, the third at 189, and the 17th as a senior in 2002.
The first father-son duo was Mark (1996) and Marky Roybal (2017). Mark was the 17th champion, the first at 135, and the 11th as a senior, while Marky was the 56th champion, the first at 132, and the 10th as a sophomore.
Sophomore Jeremiah Cano (120, 5-1, 4 pins) and seniors Merrick Williams (138, 4-1, 3 pins), Kiano Torres (144, 4-1, 2 pins), and Isaiah Cook (285, 5-1, 1 pin) were third; and sophomores Ryder Nelson (113, 4-2, 2 pins) and James Davis (215, 3-2, 2 pins) were both fourth; sophomores Rhyler Wyatt (106, 1-2, 1 pin), Anthony Sanchez (126, 2-2, 2 pins), Joshwa Sandoval (132, 1-2, 1 pin), and Treyson Scalise (175, 1-2, 1 pin) along with senior Lawrence Chee (190, 1-2, 1 pin) did not place.
All 14 Wildcats contributed to team scoring, with Goodman tallying 30 points, Woodall 29, Montes 25, Williams 21, Torres 18.5, Cook and Cano both 17, Nelson 16.5, Davis 16, Sanchez 6.5, Wyatt 4, and Chee, Sandoval, and Scalise 3 apiece.
Montes (150, 4-0) received a forfeit from Window Rock during the first round, decisioned Yuma Catholic junior Hendrix Siqueiros 7-6 during the quarterfinals, Saint Johns junior Vincent Tullie 14-10 during the semifinals, and posted a 10-2 major decision over Benjamin Franklin senior Barrett Harris for the title.
Goodwin (157, 4-0, 4 pins) pinned American Leadership – Mesa North sophomore Rollin Smith in 55 seconds during the first round, Holbrook junior Tidyn Larson in 5:33 during the quarterfinals, Mogollon senior Brody Porter in 1:18 during the semifinals, and American Leadership – West Foothills junior Keegan Accomazzo in 3:17 for the title.
Woodall (165, 4-0, 4 pins) pinned Alchesay freshman Rajon Lupe in 40 seconds during the first round, posted a 15-0 first period technical fall over Arizona Lutheran senior Jacob Wiechmann during the quarterfinals, pinned ALA – Mesa North sophomore Reddin Merrill in 53 seconds during the semifinals, and posted a 20-2 second period technical fall over Mogollon senior Kaleb Porter for the title.
Cano (120, 5-1, 4 pins) pinned Camp Verde junior Aiden Dupui in 1:47 during the first round, was pinned in 2:29 by Somerton junior Kenneth Garcia during the quarterfinals, pinned Arizona Lutheran senior Xavier Gonzales in 1:34 during the consolation second round, pinned Round Valley senior Gavin McCall in 1:00 during the consolation second round, decisioned Blue Ridge senior Erick Galindo 11-4 during the consolation semifinals, and pinned Mogollon junior Anthony Pimentel to place third.
Williams (138, 4-1, 3 pins) pinned Valley Christian sophomore Warner Dobson in 56 seconds during the first round, pinned Yuma Catholic senior Dylan Andrade in 1:15 during the quarterfinals, was decisioned 4-11 by Payson senior Gage Palace during the semifinals, pinned Monument Valley senior Justin Yazzie in 2:14 during the consolation semifinals, and posted a 10-1 major decision over Bagdad senior Thomas Rodriguez to place third.
Torres (144, 4-1, 2 pins) pinned Page freshman Reggie Begay in 3:20 during the first round, decisioned Somerton junior Jose Polino 13-8 during the quarterfinals, was pinned in 3:49 by Saint Johns junior Reese Crosby during the semifinals, posted an 18-2 second period technical fall over River Valley junior Deven Gramanz during the consolation semifinals, and posted a 17-7 major decision over Wickenburg senior Jace Bowser to place third.
Cook (285, 5-1, 1 pin) pinned Hopi junior Jedidiah Segay in 1:55 during the first round, was decisioned 1-4 by Valley Christian senior JuanErnesto Alvarez during the quarterfinals, decisioned Ganado sophomore Mark Wauneka 7-0 during the consolation second round, posted a 15-1 major decision over Camp Verde senior Gavin Athey during the consolation third round, decisioned Yuma Catholic senior Caesar Fernandez 7-2 during the consolation semifinals, and decisioned Pinon senior Jobryant Charley to place third.
Nelson (113, 4-2, 2 pins) pinned Holbrook sophomore Gideon Pack in 5:33 during the first round, was decisioned 6-8 by Parker sophomore Enrique Hernandez during the quarterfinals, posted a 15-0 second period technical fall over Pima sophomore Alakai Nieves during the consolation second round, decisioned Yuma Catholic freshman Steven Hiczewski 7-4 during the consolation third round, posted a 10-2 major decision over San Manuel sophomore Jose Torres during the consolation semifinals, and was decisioned 8-9 by Parker sophomore Enrique Hernandez to finish fourth.
Davis (215, 3-2, 2 pins) pinned Camp Verde Cowboy Braydon Rodriguez in 1:39 during the first round and Hopi sophomore Dariyus Pochoema in 2:19 during the quarterfinals, was pinned in 43 seconds by Santa Cruz junior Robert Ibarra during the semifinals, decisioned Benson junior Tyson Kilpatrick 7-3 during the consolation semifinals, and was pinned in 2:41 by American Leadership – West Foothills senior Quinton Hickman to finish fourth.
Wyatt (106, 1-2, 1 pin) pinned Camp Verde freshman Israel Brogden during the first round, was pinned in 4:48 by Mogollon freshman Detmer Porter during the quarterfinals, and fell by a 4-13 major decision to Tuba City junior Kaeden Adson-White during the consolation second round.
Sanchez (126, 2-2, 2 pins) pinned Miami freshman Jared Badilla in 1:14 during the first round, was pinned in 3:29 by River Valley junior Kaige Geyer during the quarterfinals, posted a 17-1 second period technical fall over Pima senior Kyler Reed during the consolation second round, and was pinned in 2:05 by Somerton junior Diego Felix during the consolation third round.
Sandoval (132, 1-2, 1 pin) fell by a 1-10 major decision to American Leadership West Foothills senior Carson Doyle during the first round, pinned Chinle sophomore Cody Curley in 3:45 during the consolation first round, and was pinned in 1:24 by Hayden senior Julius Pinkard during the consolation second round.
Scalise (175, 1-2, 1 pin) fell by a 0-17 second period technical fall to Saint Johns senior Ammon Jessop during the first round, pinned Benjamin Franklin senior Bram Green in 4:22 during the consolation first round, and was pinned in 55 seconds by Payson senior Lucas Lee during the consolation second round.
Chee (190, 1-2, 1 pin) fell by a 7-18 major decision to Phoenix Christian sophomore Aaron Whitten during the first round, pinned Northwest Christian sophomore Colton Neese in 1:47 during the consolation first round, and was pinned in 1:45 by Mogollon junior Andrew Peterson during the consolation second round.
Thatcher – 19th (25.5 points, 1/5 placed)
Thatcher finished 19th with 25.5 points, and one of the five Eagles placed.
Individually, senior Josiah Matagaono (190, 3-0, 3 pins) placed fifth while junior Brock Innes (285, 2-2, 1 pin), senior William Simoneaux (138, 1-2, 1 pin), and sophomores Phoenix Haskins (144, 1-2, 1 pin) and Rafael Schnebly (215, 0-2) did not place.
Four Eagles contributed scoring with Matagaono totaling 14.5 points, Innes five, and both Simoneaux and Haskins three apiece.
Matagaono (190, 4-2, 2 pins) pinned Fountain Hills junior George Tobias in 53 seconds during the first round, was pinned in 3:30 by Ganado senior Dante Curtiss during the quarterfinals, pinned Tombstone senior Leo Trujillo in 2:11 during the consolation second round, posted a 21-1 third period technical fall over Mogollon junior Andrew Peterson during the consolation third round, fell by a 6-17 major decision to Benjamin Franklin senior Beau Sechrist during the consolation semifinals, and decisioned Ganado senior Dante Curtiss 6-4 to place fifth.
Innes (285, 2-2, 1 pin) pinned Tuba City sophomore Tyrone Wesley in 41 seconds during the first round, was pinned in 45 seconds by Yuma Catholic senior Caesar Fernandez during the quarterfinals, decisioned Benson sophomore Mason Stanley 5-3 during the consolation second round, and was pinned in 2:46 by Somerton sophomore Peter Rivas during the Consolation third round.
Simoneaux (138, 1-2, 1 pin) was decisioned 17-20 by Blue Ridge junior Jesse Caso during the first round, pinned Winslow senior Joseph Lopez in 4:51 during the consolation first round, and was pinned in 1:35 by Yuma Catholic senior Dyla Andrade during the consolation second round.
Haskins (144, 1-2, 1 pin) was pinned in 2:42 by Mogollon senior Yovanni Suarez during the first round, pinned Fountain Hills junior Reece Beers in 3:00 during the consolation first round, and was pinned in 2:10 by Somerton junior Jose Polino during the consolation second round.
Schnebly (215, 0-2) pinned Bisbee sophomore Conner McBeth during the quarterfinals, was pinned in 2:12 by Morenci sophomore James Davis during the semifinals, pinned Tombstone Phillip Hache in 34 seconds during the consolation semifinals, and was pinned in 22 seconds by Round Valley senior Elijah Harper to place fourth.
Willcox – 29th (15 points, 1/6 placed)
Willcox finished 29th with 15 points, and one of six Cowboys placed.
Individually, junior Kaleb Cooke (150, 3-3) placed sixth while sophomore Tyler Larson (138, 2-1, 2 pins), junior Mark Wilson (165, 2-1, 2 pins), junior Alan Allred (175, 2-1, 2 pins), senior Travis Allred (157, 2-1, 2 pins), and junior Da’Marion Jackson (190, 2-2, 2 pins) did not place. Three Cowboys contributed to the scoring, with Cooke getting 9 points, Larson 4, and Alan Allred 3.
Cooke (150, 3-3) decisioned Holbrook freshman Jack Carbonneau 11-10 during the first round, fell by a 2-3 tiebreaker to Wickenburg junior Cole Rodgers during the quarterfinals, decisioned Somerton junior Jesus Valenzuela 12-5 during the consolation second round, received a forfeit from Blue Ridge junior Luke Whiting during the consolation third round, was pinned in 2:04 by Saint Johns junior Vincent Tullie during the consolation semifinals, and was pinned in 2:11 by Yuma Catholic junior Hendrix Siqueiros to finish sixth.
Larson (138, 1-2, 1 pin) pinned Alchesay freshman Parker Sanchez in 51 seconds during the first round, fell by a 2-15 major decision to Page senior Connor Peterson during the quarterfinals, and fell by a third-period technical fall to Saint Johns senior Keyton Musgrove during the consolation second round.
Alan Allred (175, 1-2) posted a 17-8 major decision over Monument Valley senior Trey Pete during the first round, fell by a 0-15 third-period technical fall to Santa Cruz sophomore Diego Ibarra during the quarterfinals, and by a 2-5 decision to Williams senior Russell Skinner during the consolation second round.
Wilson (165, 0-2) fell by a third-period technical fall to Payson sophomore Garrett Prock during the first round and by a 6-11 decision to Joseph City junior Tytan Penrod during the consolation first round.
Travis Allred (157, 0-2) fell by a 1-17 second-period technical fall to Miami senior Dawson Dho during the first round and was pinned in 2:34 by Arizona Lutheran senior Rito Pinon during the consolation first round.
Jackson (190, 0-2) fell by a 0-16 first-period technical fall to Valley Christian sophomore Spencer Cross during the first round and by a 3-16 major decision to Mountainside senior Daniel Gregg during the consolation first round.
Pima – tied for 39th (6 points, 0/4 placed)
Pima tied for 39th with six points, and four Roughriders did not place.
Individually, sophomore Alakai Nieves (113, 1-2, 1 pin) provided three points, sophomore Jax Haws (285, 1-2) two, senior Kyler Reed (126, 1-2) one, and freshman Tell Richardson (150, 0-2) zero.
Nieves (113, 1-2, 1 pin) fell by a 0-17 second period technical fall to Monument Valley senior Delroy Johnson during the first round, pinned Alchesay freshman Carmello Narcisco in 2:09 during the quarterfinals, and fell by a 0-15 second period technical fall to Morenci sophomore Ryder Nelson during the consolation second round.
Reed (126, 1-2) fell by a 0-16 second-period technical fall to Santa Cruz junior Jiovanni Chavez during the first round, decisioned Tuba City senior Kade Sixkiller 5-1 during the consolation first round, and fell by a 1-17 second-period technical fall to Morenci sophomore Anthony Sanchez during the consolation second round.
Haws (285, 1-2) decisioned Ganado sophomore Mark Wauneka 5-0 during the first round, fell by a 3-19 second-period technical fall to Santa Cruz freshman Layne James during the quarterfinals, and was decisioned 0-7 by Somerton sophomore Peter Rivas during the consolation second round.
Richardson (150, 0-2) was pinned in 3:25 by Saint Johns junior Vincent Tullie during the first round and fell by a 6-21 third-period technical fall to Somerton junior Jesus Valenzuela during the consolation first round.
2026 Division IV Team Placements / Scoring
Morenci was the Division IV state champion with 298.5 points, or 192.5 more than runner-up Saint Johns (169.5). All 14 Wildcats qualified for the state meet, and nine ended in the top four, three as champions, four in third place, and two in fourth place. There were 7-13 Redskins placing in the top five, with two as champions, one in second, two in third, and two in fifth.
Third place Eloy Santa Cruz (163.5) had 6-7 in the top two, with four as champions, two in second, and one non-placer.
Heber Mogollon was fourth (150.5), Yuma Catholic fifth (119), Somerton sixth (117.5), Payson seventh (112), Kayenta Monument Valley eighth (54), Waddell American Leadership – West Foothills ninth (49), and Chandler Valley Christian 10th (44.5).
Phoenix Arizona Lutheran, Queen Creek Benjamin Franklin, and Lakeside Blue Ridge tied for 11th (39.5), Eagar Round Valley 14th (39). Bagdad 15th (32), Mohave Valley River Valley 16th (31.5), Wickenburg 17th (29), Page 18th (26), Thatcher 19th (25.5), and Benson 20th (25).
Holbrook and Tombstone tied for 21st (24.5), Fountain Hills 23rd (22.5), Phoenix Northwest Christian 24th (21.5), Parker 25th (20.5), San Manuel 26th (19.5), Phoenix Christian 27th (19), Tucson Saint Augustine Catholic 28th (16.5), Willcox 29th (16), both Pinon and Tuba City tied for 30th (15).
Ganado was 32nd (13.5), Miami 33rd (13), Winslow 34th (11), American Leadership – Mesa North 35th (9), Camp Verde 36th (8), Fort Defiance Window Rock 37th (7), Winkelman Hayden 38th (6.5), and both Pima and Chandler Seton Catholic tied for 39th (6).
Joseph City was 41st (5), Keams Canyon Hopi and Williams tied for 42nd (4), Chinle 44th (3.5), and Wellton Antelope and Wittmann Mountainside tied for 45th (3).
Not scoring were Bisbee, Chino Valley, Florence American Leadership – Anthem South, Saint David, San Carlos, Whiteriver Alchesay, along with Tucson schools Andrada Polytechnic, Catalina, Palo Verde Magnet, and The Gregory.
2026 Division IV State Champions
The other 11 state champions were Yuma Catholic sophomore Skyler Bialecki (106, 4-0, 3 pins), Somerton sophomore Jayden Preston (113, 4-0, 3 pins), Somerton junior Kenneth Garcia (120, 4-0, 2 pins), Payson sophomore Gavin Palace (126, 4-0, 3 pins), Santa Cruz junior Romeo Chavez (132, 4-0, 3 pins), Payson senior Gage Palace (138, 4-0, 2 pins), Saint Johns junior Reese Crosby (144, 4-0, 4 pins), Morenci junior Emerson Montes (150, 4-0), Morenci freshman Jacob Goodman (157, 4-0, 4 pins), Morenci freshman Caden Woodall (165, 4-0, 4 pins), Santa Cruz sophomore Diego Ibarra (175, 4-0, 4 pins), Saint Johns senior Trace Nielson (190, 4-0, 3 pins), Santa Cruz junior Robert Ibarra (215, 4-0, 4 pins), and Santa Cruz freshman Layne James (285, 4-0, 3 pins).
Section IV champions, top seed Tombstone senior Wyatt Eddy (120, 3-1, 2 pins) placed second, top seed Round Valley senior Mason Orona (132, 4-2, 4 pins) third, second seed Saint Augustine Catholic senior Alex Martinez (175, 3-2, 1 pin) fourth, and top seed Thatcher senior Josiah Matagaono (190, 3-0, 3 pins) fifth.
2026 Division IV – Section IV State Placers
A total of 118 participants from 16 different schools attended, with Morenci fielding a full team, Thatcher 12 entrants, Eagar Round Valley nine, Benson, Bisbee, Elfrida Valley Union, Saint David, Tucson Catalina, and Willcox seven apiece, Pima and Tombstone six each, Tucson Andrada Polytechnic and Tucson Saint Augustine Catholic both five, San Manuel four, Tucson’s The Gregory School and Palo Verde Magnet three apiece, and Tucson Santa Rita’s expected entrants were no shows.
A total of 56 Section IV wrestlers entered the state meet, with Morenci placing 9-14, Benson 2-5, Round Valley 1-6, Willcox 1-6, Thatcher 1-5, Saint Augustine 1-2, and Tombstone 1-2.
Pima (0-4), San Manuel (0-4), Saint David (0-3), Andrada Polytechnic (0-2), Bisbee (0-1), The Gregory School (0-1), and Palo Verde Magnet (0-1) had no one placing, while Catalina’s qualifier was a no show.
