Miyamura senior proves a point, wins 5A crown

RIO RANCHO, N.M.

In a matter of four minutes and thirty seconds, Miyamura High School wrestler Jasper Denetclaw erased everything the state of New Mexico thought of him.

He proved he was No. 1 as he earned the 5A individual state title in the 285-pound weight class last weekend at the 2015 New Mexico National Guard State Wrestling Championships. It was the school’s first-ever state title in the sport of wrestling and a first for head coach Kenneth Starkovich’s tenure.

Earlier this season, Ziawrestler.com, a website focused on high school wrestling in New Mexico, ranked Denetclaw in the 30s, but Starkovich knew he was capable of being No. 1.

“I told him this is what the state thinks of you as far as rankings, you know you’re better than that, I know you’re better than that,” Starkovich said. “I told him we need to show that this isn’t right.”

Minutes after his historical win, the senior said it was a dream come true.

“It’s an honor,” he said. “I would never think I would ever be a state champion; it’s amazing.”

His journey to the title was nothing short of incredible.

Unlike many who grew up in the sport, Denetclaw had a late start as a wrestler.

He started four years ago as a freshman and struggled year after year.

He qualified for the state tournament as a sophomore and junior but never placed.

But his real struggle was within.

“He always had to cut some weight. For the last three years he was always coming in pretty heavy,” Starkovich said. “Because he was so big he couldn’t move like a wrestler. He kind of fought us at times with conditioning and running.”

There were even times when Denetclaw wasn’t eligible for the 285-pound weight class.

But this season, Denetclaw had a different attitude after he came out of a very successful football season.

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