Area wrestlers among best in Division IV

PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz.

The Tuba City Warriors had two wrestlers that made the podium last Friday night.

This is starting to become an annual rite for the Warrior team, which bodes well for third-year coach Brandon Williams.

“We’re putting Tuba City on the map so we’re pretty excited,” said Williams, following the conclusion of the Arizona Division IV state wrestling meet, held last week at the Prescott Valley Event Center in Prescott Valley, Ariz.

Adrian Sixkiller was Tuba City’s best finisher as the senior placed third in the 220-pound weight class after he earned a 6-1 decision over Leon LeGrande of Snowflake in the consolation championship.
“This was my last time wrestling for Tuba City so I used that as motivation,” Sixkiller said. “Plus, my whole family was here. I like them supporting me.”

Last season, Sixkiller qualified for state but he competed in the heavy weights since the Warriors already had Trayston Gordy, an experienced wrestler, competing in the 220s.

Gordy finished fourth overall while Sixkiller was eliminated on the first day of competition.

“We were both the same weight class but every time we wrestled he always beat me,” Sixkiller said of Gordy.

Needless to say, he felt more comfortable wrestling in his desired weight class at this year’s state meet even though most of the other qualifiers were seeded higher than him.

Williams said that didn’t matter as he closed out the tournament with four straight wins after losing his second round match to Travis Regalado of Willcox to finish with a 29-6 record.
“He’s a senior and he trained hard all year long,” Williams said. “All of his dedication and training came down to him winning third.”

In his tenure, that third place finish was the highest placement a Tuba City wrestler has placed at state.

“One of these years we’re going to get a first place finisher and I’ll guarantee to you that we will have one in the next two year,” Williams said.

Williams said Shayne Yazzie could be one of those wrestlers that could achieve that benchmark as the Tuba City freshman place fifth in the 106-pound weight class.

“He’s only a freshman so we’re hoping to see some good things from him in the next couple of years,” he said.

At this year’s state meet, Yazzie (19-6) made it all the way to the semifinals before he lost to eventual state champion Tommy Hernandez of Yuma Catholic, who finished the year at 62-2.

“I am real proud of all of our wrestler,” Williams said.

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