Morenci scores 192.5 points more than runner-up Elks
By Raymundo Frasquillo
PHOENIX – A total of 224 qualifiers will vie for 14 individual weight class titles during the two-day Division IV state tourney on Feb. 20-21. The site is the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 1826 West McDowell Road, formerly referred to as “The Mad House on McDowell.”
As a prelude, the Casey Woodall-coached Morenci Wildcats earned 10 Division IV – Section IV individual titles, scoring 192.5 points (298.5-106) more than runners-up Eagar Round Valley on Valentine’s Day. Each of the 10 Morenci sectional champions is seeded in the top four of their respective weight classes for the state meet, with two as the top seed. The other four are slotted no lower than eighth in the 16-man brackets.
Morenci turned in a dominating effort as 13 of 14 entrants were finalists and all 14 qualified, also earning three runners-up and a third placer in Wildcat Memorial Gymnasium on Valentine’s Day. Although it has never been the season-long goal, it was the 11th of 13 sectional titles under Woodall. The section meet was postponed and cancelled in 2014 due to health concerns about skin disease, and in 2021 due to the ongoing global health crisis.
Sectional meets were held on the high school campuses of Buckeye (Section I), Winslow (Section II), Payson (Section III), and Morenci.
Four different programs have accounted for the 10 (2016-25) most recent state titles, with the Wildcats earning five, both repeating (2015-16) and three-peating (2021-23) once under the current head coach, now in his 13th season, for a total of 10 (1999-2001, 2003, 2005). A total of 75 individual state champions have resulted during the previous 52 seasons.
If one asks Coach Woodall how the Wildcats did in any meet, he will tell you of their successes and end with, “but there’s always room for improvement.” This season’s total section champion count surpasses the 7 in both the 2017 and 2018 seasons, while the 14 qualifiers match the 2003-04 and 2011 seasons.
A laminated sign hung in the school hallways poses the question, “What’s next, Coach Woodall?” The next two days will provide the answer.
The Wildcats departed for the state meet late Thursday afternoon, escorted by first responders and law enforcement officers.
Morenci – 1st (298.5 points, 14/14 qualified)
Morenci placed first with 298.5 points, and all 14 Wildcats qualified and contributed team points.
Individually, sophomore Rhyler Wyatt (106, 2-0, 2 pins), sophomore Ryder Nelson (113, 2-0, 1 pin), sophomore Anthony Sanchez (126, 3-0, 3 pins), senior Merrick Williams (138, 3-0, 3 pins), senior Kiano Torres (144, 3-0, 2 pins), junior Emerson Montes (150, 3-0, 3 pins), freshman Jacob Goodwin (157, 2-0, 2 pins), freshman Caden Woodall (165, 3-0, 3 pins), sophomore James Davis (215, 3-0, 3 pins), and senior Isaiah Cook (285, 2-0, 2 pins) emerged as champions; sophomore Jeremiah Cano (120, 2-1, 2 pins), sophomore Joshwa Sandoval (132, 1-1, 1 pin), and senior Dean Chee (190, 1-1, 1 pin) each second; and Scalise (175, 2-1, 2 pins) third.
All 14 Wildcats contributed to team scoring with Williams and Montes 26 points apiece, Sanchez 25.5, Torres and Davis both 24, Woodall 23, Goodwin 22, Wyatt and Cook 21.5 each, Nelson 19.5, Cano 18, Chee 17.5, Sandoval 16, and Scalise 14.
Wyatt (106, 2-0, 2 pins) received a first-round bye, pinned Tucson Andrada Polytechnic freshman Paxton Mendoza in 1:14 during the semifinals, and posted a 15-0 second-period technical fall over Eagar Round Valley freshman Cameron Lueker for the title.
Nelson (113, 2-0, 1 pin) received a first-round bye, posted a 19-3 third-period technical fall over Thatcher senior Rhett Montoya, and decisioned San Manuel sophomore Jose Torres 5-1 for the title.
Sanchez (126, 3-0, 3 pins) received a first-round bye, pinned Thatcher sophomore Claeson Medeiros in 31 seconds during the quarterfinals, posted an 18-0 first-period technical fall over Pima senior Kyler Reed during the semifinals, and pinned Round Valley sophomore Rueger Lueker in 40 seconds for the title.
Williams (138, 3-0, 3 pins) received a first-round bye, pinned Saint David freshman Canon Haynie in 1:15 during the quarterfinals, Pima freshman Austin Adams in 1:30 during the semifinals, and Willcox sophomore Tyler Larseon in 3:31 for the title.
Torres (144, 3-0, 2 pins) received a first-round bye, pinned Round Valley freshman Rylan Solis in 1:23 during the quarterfinals and Thatcher sophomore Phoenix Haskins in 1:39, and decisioned Benson junior Kolttin Deskins 11-5 for the title.
Montes (150, 3-0, 3 pins) received a first-round bye, pinned Tucson’s The Gregory School senior Luis Leal in 35 seconds during the quarterfinals, Pima freshman Tell Richardson in 2:43 during the semifinals, and Willcox junior Kaleb Cooke in 1:41 for the title.
Goodwin (157, 2-0, 2 pins) received a quarterfinals bye, pinned Saint David senior Jaxon Savage in 1:34 during the semifinals, and San Manuel junior Derek Anaya in 1:36 for the title.
Woodall (165, 3-0, 3 pins) posted a 16-1 first-period technical fall over Bisbee sophomore Axel Ayala during the quarterfinals and a 15-0 first-period technical fall over Tucson Catalina junior Dylan Curley during the semifinals, and pinned Willcox junior Mark Wilson in 1:00 for the title.
Davis (215, 3-0, 3 pins) pinned Pima freshman Tanner Preston in 1:10 during the quarterfinals, Thatcher sophomore Rafael Schnebly in 2:12 during the semifinals, and Benson junior Tyson Kilpatrick in 3:19 for the title.
Cook (285, 2-0, 2 pins) received a quarterfinals bye, posted a 19-4 third-period technical fall over Benson sophomore Mason Stanley, and pinned Thatcher junior Brock Innes in 4:28 for the title.
Cano (120, 2-1, 2 pins) pinned Tucson Palo Verde Magnet sophomore Reuben Tona in 1:19 during the quarterfinals and Round Valley senior Gavin McCall in 1:21 during the semifinals, and was pinned by Tombstone senior Wyatt Eddy in 4:24 during the title bout.
Sandoval (132, 1-1, 1 pin) received a quarterfinals bye, pinned Benson sophomore Tatum Kilpatrick in 5:26 during the semifinals, and was pinned by Round Valley senior Mason Orona in 1:06 during the title bout.
Chee (190, 2-1, 2 pins) pinned Round Valley junior Titan Lee in 1:12 during the quarterfinals, posted a 17-2 semifinals third period technical fall over Round Valley junior Titan Lee, and was pinned by Thatcher senior Josiah Matagaono in 1:18 during the title bout.
Scalise (175, 3-1, 3 pins) received a first round bye, was decisioned 5-11 by Round Valley senior Reilly Ray during the quarterfinals, received a consolation second round bye, pinned Catalina senior Martin Lopez in 1:49 during the consolation third round and Thatcher sophomore Christopher Wood in 2:34 during the consolation semifinals, and decisioned Round Valley senior Reilly Ray 11-9 for third place.
Willcox – 3rd (103.5 points, 6/7 qualified)
Willcox placed third with 103 points, and six of the seven Cowboys qualified.
Individually, sophomore Tyler Larson (138, 2-1, 2 pins), junior Kaleb Cooke (150, 2-1, 1 pin), junior Mark Wilson (165, 2-1, 2 pins), and junior Alan Allred (175, 2-1, 2 pins) each placed second; senior Travis Allred (157, 2-1, 2 pins) third; and junior Da’Marion Jackson (190, 2-2, 2 pins) fourth. Not placing was sophomore Harlan McKinley (126, 1-2, 1 pin). All six Cowboys contributed to scoring, with Larson getting 20 points, Alan Allred 19.5, Cooke 19, Wilson 18, Travis Allred 12, Jackson 11, and McKinley 4.
Larson (138, 2-1, 2 pins) received a first-round bye, pinned Round Valley junior Kaysen Beddow in 1:02 during the quarterfinals and Valley Union junior Manuel Rojas in 37 seconds during the semifinals, and was pinned in 3:31 by Morenci senior Merrick Williams to finish second.
Cooke (150, 2-1, 1 pin) received a first-round bye, pinned San Manuel junior Lucas Trevizo in 3:19 during the quarterfinals, posted a 15-3 major decision over Andrada Polytechnic junior Isaac Ochoa during the semifinals, and was pinned in 1:41 by Morenci junior Emerson Montes to finish second.
Wilson (165, 2-1, 2 pins) pinned Tombstone sophomore Dominic Carabez in 1:08 during the quarterfinals and San Manuel sophomore Ethan Lozoya in 1:08 during the semifinals. He was pinned in 1:00 by Morenci freshman Caden Woodall to finish second.
Alan Allred (175, 2-1, 2 pins) received a first-round bye, posted a 15-0 third-period technical fall over Catalina senior Martin Lopez during the quarterfinals, pinned Round Valley senior Reilly Ray in 5:01 during the semifinals, and was decisioned 4-6 by Saint Augustine senior Alex Martinez to finish second.
Travis Allred (157, 2-1, 2 pins) received a quarterfinals bye, fell by a 6-19 major decision to San Manuel junior Derek Anaya during the semifinals, pinned Thatcher sophomore Wyatt Dutton in 2:34 during the consolation semifinals, and pinned Saint David senior Jaxon Savage in 2:22 to place third.
Da’Marion Jackson (190, 2-2, 2 pins) pinned Catalina freshman Marcos Lopez in 1:13 during the quarterfinals, was pinned in 1:45 by Thatcher senior Josiah Matagaono during the semifinals, pinned Round Valley junior Titan Lee during the consolation semifinals, and was pinned in 1:36 by Tombstone senior Leo Trujillo to place fourth.
McKinley (126, 1-2, 1 pin) was pinned in 36 seconds by Valley Union sophomore Desmond Garcia during the first round, received a consolation first round bye, pinned Thatcher sophomore Claeson Medeiros in 2:25 during the consolation second round, and fell by a 7-17 major decision to Benson junior Jesus Canez-Quezada during the consolation third round.
Thatcher – 4th (95.5 points, 5/12 qualified)
Thatcher placed fourth with 95.5 points, and five of the dozen Eagles qualified.
Individually, senior Josiah Matagaono (190, 3-0, 3 pins) first, junior Brock Innes (285, 2-1, 2 pins) second, senior William Simoneaux (138, 3-1, 2 pins) and sophomore Phoenix Haskins (144, 3-1, 3 pins) both third, and sophomore Rafael Schnebly (215, 2-2, 2 pins) fourth.
Non-placers included freshman Levi Palmer (106, 0-2), senior Rhett Montoya (113, 1-2, 1 pin), sophomore Claeson Medeiros (126, 0-2), junior Hunter Burkett (132, 0-2), sophomore Wyatt Dutton (157, 0-2), sophomore Gabriel Dixson (165, 1-2, 1 pin), and sophomore Christopher Wood (175, 1-2, 1 pin).
Eight Eagles contributed scoring with Matagaono totaling 22 points, Innes and Haskins 18 apiece, Simoneaux 13.5, Schnebly 11, Wood 6, Montoya 4, and Dixson 3.
Matagaono (190, 2-0, 2 pins) received a quarterfinals bye, pinned Willcox junior Da’Marion Jackson in 1:45 during the quarterfinals, and Morenci sophomore James Davis in 2:12 for the title.
Innes (285, 2-1, 2 pins) pinned Tombstone Tyler Kuchar in 29 seconds during the quarterfinals and Saint Augustine Peter Martinez during the semifinals, and was pinned in 4:28 by Morenci senior Isaiah Cook to finish second.
Schnebly (215, 2-2, 2 pins) 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.
Montoya (113, 1-2, 1 pin) pinned Bisbee senior Luis Saavedra in 46 seconds during the quarterfinals, fell by a third-period technical fall to Morenci sophomore Ryder Nelson during the semifinals, and was decisioned 8-14 by Pima sophomore Alakai Nieves during the consolation semifinals.
Dixson (165, 1-2, 1 pin) was pinned in 1:20 by Catalina junior Dylan Curley during the quarterfinals, pinned Bisbee sophomore Axel Ayala in 4:07 during the consolation first round, and was pinned in 3:43 by San Manuel sophomore Ethan Lozoya during the consolation semifinals.
Wood (175, 1-2, 1 pin) received a first-round bye, pinned Valley Union Yahir Luna in 1:08 during the quarterfinals, and was pinned in 59 seconds by Saint Augustine senior Alex Martinez during the semifinals and in 2:34 by Morenci sophomore Treyson Scalise during the consolation semifinals.
Palmer (106, 0-2) fell by a third-period technical fall to Saint David freshman Conagher Reynolds during the quarterfinals, received a consolation first-round bye, and was pinned in 2:18 by Andrada Polytechnic freshman Paxton Mendoza during the consolation semifinals.
Medeiros (126, 0-2) received a first-round bye, was pinned in 31 seconds by Morenci sophomore Anthony Sanchez during the quarterfinals, and in 2:25 by Willcox sophomore Harlan McKinley during the consolation second round.
Burkett (132, 0-2) fell by a 12-23 major decision to Saint David sophomore Stratford Reynolds during the quarterfinals, received a consolation first-round bye, and was pinned in 2:28 by Benson sophomore Tatum Kilpatrick during the consolation semifinals.
Dutton (157, 0-2) was pinned in 1:39 by Saint David senior Jaxon Savage during the quarterfinals, received a consolation first-round bye, and was pinned in 2:34 by Willcox senior Travis Allred during the consolation semifinals.
Pima – 6th (64.5 points, 4/6 qualified)
Pima placed sixth with 64.5 points, and four of six Roughriders qualified, three as third placers and one as a fourth placer.
Individually, sophomore Alakai Nieves (113, 3-1, 2 pins), Kyler Reed (126, 4-1, 4 pins), and sophomore Jax Haws (285, 2-1, 1 pin) each placed third; and senior Tell Richardson (150, 2-2, 2 pins) fourth.
Not placing were freshmen Austin Adams (138, 1-2, 1 pin) and Tanner Preston (215, 1-2, 1 pin). All six Roughriders contributed to scoring, with Reed totaling 19 points, Nieves and Richardson 13 apiece, Haws 11, Adams 5.5, and Preston three.
Nieves (113, 3-1, 2 pins) was pinned by San Manuel sophomore Jose Torres in 5:19 during the quarterfinals, pinned Elfrida Valley Union senior Zion Moore in 2:26 during the consolation first round, decisioned Thatcher senior Rhett Montoya 14-8 during the consolation semifinal, and pinned Tucson Saint Augustine Catholic sophomore Chris Carrillo in 2:58 for third place.
Reed (126, 4-1, 4 pins) pinned Palo Verde Magnet junior Moses Rodriguez in 48 seconds during the first round and Benson junior Jesus Canez-Quezada in 2:38 during the quarterfinals, fell by a 0-18 first period technical fall to Morenci sophomore Anthony Sanchez during the semifinals, posted a 17-0 technical fall over Valley Union sophomore Desmond Garcia during the consolation semifinals, and posted a 16-1 third period technical fall over Canez-Quesada for third place.
Haws (285, 2-1, 1 pin) was pinned by Benson sophomore Mason Stanley in 1:51 during the quarterfinals, received a consolation first-round bye, pinned Saint Augustine sophomore Peter Martinez in 2:05 during the consolation semifinals, and posted a 5-2 sudden victory over Stanley for third place.
Richardson (150, 2-2, 2 pins) received a first round bye, pinned Saint David senior Jordan Parker in 5:37 during the quarterfinals, was pinned by Morenci junior Emerson Montes in 2:43 during the semifinals, pinned Catalina junior Joseph Valles in 1:54 during the consolation semifinals, and was decisioned 4-11 by Andrada Polytechnic junior Isaac Ochoa to finish fourth.
Adams (138, 1-2, 1 pin) received a first-round bye, posted a third-period 19-4 technical fall over Thatcher senior William Simoneaux during the quarterfinals, was pinned in 1:30 by Morenci senior Merrick Williams during the semifinals, and was decisioned 12-16 by Bisbee senior Eliel Bonilla during the consolation semifinals.
Preston (215, 1-2, 1 pin) was pinned in 1:10 by Morenci sophomore James Davis during the quarterfinals, pinned Bisbee sophomore Conner McBeth during the consolation first round, and was pinned in 1:33 by Round Valley senior Elijah Harper during the consolation semifinal.
2026 Team Placements / Scoring
Morenci earned the Division IV – Section IV title by totaling 298.5 points, or 192.5 more than runner-up Eagar Round Valley (106). All 14 Wildcats qualified for the state meet by placing 13 of 14 entrants in the top four, 10 as section champions, three as runners-up, and one as a third placer.
Willcox was third with 103.5 points, Thatcher fourth (95.5), Benson fifth (74), Pima sixth (64.5), San Manuel seventh (47. 5), Saint David eighth (46), and Tucson Andrada Polytechnic ninth (39.5), and Tombstone 10th (39).
Tucson Saint Augustine Catholic was 11th (37), Tucson Catalina 12th (33), Elfrida Valley Union 13th (22.5), Bisbee 14th (15), Tucson’s The Gregory School 15th (13.5, Tucson Palo Verde Magnet 16th (7), and Tucson Santa Rita (zero).
2026 Division IV – Section IV Champions
Morenci’s five champions included sophomore Rhyler Wyatt (106, 2-0, 2 pins), sophomore Ryder Nelson (113, 2-0, 1 pin), sophomore Anthony Sanchez (126, 3-0, 3 pins), senior Merrick Williams (138, 3-0, 3 pins), senior Kiano Torres (144, 3-0, 2 pins), junior Emerson Montes (150, 3-0, 3 pins), freshman Jacob Goodman (157, 2-0, 2 pins), freshman Caden Woodall (165, 3-0, 3 pins), sophomore James Davis (215, 3-0, 3 pins), and senior Isaiah Cook (285, 2-0, 2 pins).
The other four section champions numbered one each from Round Valley, Saint Augustine, Thatcher, and Tombstone.
Also placing first were top seed Tombstone senior Wyatt Eddy (120, 2-0, 2 pins), top seed Round Valley senior Mason Orona (132, 2-0, 2 pins), second seed Saint Augustine Catholic senior Alex Martinez (175, 3-0, 2 pins), and top seed Thatcher senior Josiah Matagaono (190, 3-0, 3 pins).
2026 Division IV – Section IV State Qualifiers
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.
Morenci qualified all 14, Round Valley 6-9, Willcox 6-7, Thatcher 5-12, Benson 5-7, Pima 4-6, San Manuel 3-4, Saint David 3-7, Andrada Polytechnic 2-5, Tombstone 2-6, Saint Augustine 2-5, Catalina 1-7, Valley Union 0-7, Bisbee 1-7, The Gregory School 1-3, and Palo Verde Magnet 1-3.
It was one additional team and one not attending, as well as three more individual entrants than in 2025.
