Farmington grappler comes up short in 215 finals: Lady Scorps take third

Posted by Quentin Jodie | Mar 7, 2024 | Sports |

RIO RANCHO, N.M. – The Farmington wrestling program departed the New Mexico Class 5A state wrestling tournament with some hardware.

The Scorps placed third in the all-girls wrestling tournament with five wrestlers earning medals at state, which was held Feb. 23-24 at the Rio Rancho Events Center.

Cleveland won the state title with 102.5 points, ahead of Atrisco Heritage Academy (95) and Farmington (89).

“The girls had a strong season, and we had a really tough schedule so we always thought we would be ready for state,” Farmington coach Jaime Morales said. “We had a few setbacks at the beginning, but we’re happy with the third-place finish.

“We definitely wanted to finish first, but we’re happy to bring home some hardware,” he added. “The girls worked hard, they earned it and it’s all on them.”

The boys team, meanwhile, had three grapplers make the podium, with senior Isaac Foutz finishing second in the 215-pound weight class.

Foutz fell short to La Cueva’s Mason Posa in the finals. The La Cueva wrestler capped his outstanding season with a 26-0 record by pinning Foutz in the opening period.

“Isaac battled with Posa all year,” Morales said. “That’s our fourth loss to him. We had a few times where we started to close the gap.”

Foutz finished the year at 35-6 as he ended his prep career with three state medals. Prior to this year, the Farmington wrestler placed third the previous two seasons.

“It’s definitely a step up from the last two years,” Foutz said. “That was the goal: to make the finals, but it still (stinks) to lose. I really tried to win state, but (Posa) is a real tough wrestler.”

“He wrestled tough throughout the tournament,” Morales said of Foutz. “It’s just awesome that he got as far as the finals. He came up short, but I think his growth within the sport has been awesome.

“Making the finals is a huge achievement,” the Farmington coach added.

The Scorps also received a pair of fifth-place finishes from Brayden Harvey at 114 and Logan Cambridge at 160.

Girls

Farmington freshman Bailey Ramone was the Lady Scorps’ top finisher as she placed third at 165.

Ramone lost her first match to Robertson’s Kyanna Gallegos before bouncing back with five straight wins. In the third-place match, Ramone beat Highland’s Faith Bryant after she had to retire with an injury in the opening period.

“Bailey was outstanding,” Morales said. “All the girls in her bracket were tough and she took third for us.”

Farmington also had Brielle Lucero place fourth at 126 while Ioanna Ueanimatang (152) and Anaya Lee (235) took fifth. Alissa Deyapp rounded out the medal winners with a sixth-place finish at 185.

“All of our girls are tough,” Morales said. “They’re a close team. We had a bunch of kiddos that grinded through.”