Aztec wrestler extends winning streak
Special to the Times | Curtis Ray Benally
Aztec's Makayla Muñoz maneuvers Sandia's Bianco Arundale-Maesta onto her back and positions her for a pinfall during the 145-pound championship match of the Girls Regional 1 Championships on Saturday at Farmington High School.
By Santiago Ramos Jr.
Special to the Times
FARMINGTON
Aztec’s three-time state champion senior Makayla Munoz kept her unbeaten streak going at 39-0 during the New Mexico Region 1 girls wrestling tournament that concluded Saturday at Farmington High School.
Munoz, who earned the top seed, pinned Sandia sophomore Bianca Arundale-Maestas (16-2) in a blazing 13 seconds in the 145-pound match.
For Munoz it was also her 39th pin in 39 matches this season.
“I plan to be the first four-time state champion in New Mexico for females,” said Munoz who wrestled at 126 the past three years. “I go into my match regardless if I’ve wrestled that person before. I go into the match with the same mindset and gotta get ready each and every single match. You never know what can happen in a match. I’ll work harder than any girls.”
Jumping two weight classes, Munoz says she enjoys being at 145.
“I do like it,” she said. “It’s nice being able to gain more muscles.”
Munoz says she plans to wrestle for Oklahoma City University this coming year.
The female wrestlers will have an off week before competing at the New Mexico State Wrestling Championships Feb. 17-18 at the Rio Rancho Events Center.
Kirtland Central will be hosting the Region 1 boys wrestling tournament this Friday and Saturday
Bloomfield grappler wins 185 title
Special to the Times | Curtis Ray Benally
Bloomfield’s Amia Goins holds Volcano Vista’s Elena Moya down to the mat during the 185-pound championship match of the Girls Regional 1 Championships on Saturday at Farmington High School. Goins defeated Moya by pinfall.
Bloomfield senior Amia Goins (34-4) pinned Volcano Vista senior Elena Moya (28-3) at 2:26 in the 185-pound class.
“Honestly going into the match, I was a little intimidated,” she said. “Then once I started wrestling like how I wrestle. I knew if I wrestle like me being tough and smart that I had it (won). It feels good being regional champion.”
In her first year of wrestling, Goins was the state runner-up at 165 last year.
Moving up one weight class poses a challenge says Goins.
“It’s harder but it’s easier not cutting weight so I’m not tired,” she said.
Goins said she plans to visit South Dakota Sioux Falls next month.
152-pound finals
Piedra Vista sophomore Svea Robinson (28-7) was pinned by unbeaten Sandia freshman Jaden Meadows (28-0) in 38 seconds in the 152-pound finals.
Other placers
Gallup’s Crystal Marrufo (12-12) was pinned by Cleveland sophomore Mikayla Randall-Varela (22-10) at 1:12 in the seventh place match at 100.
Farmington freshman Katrina Henry (37-6) was pinned by Moriarty eighth grader Lilly Shoemate-Means (25-9) at 4:07 in the third place match at 114.
Piedra Vista junior Stormie Sanchez (21-15) lost by a forfeit to Volcano Vista sophomore Danirae Lopez (20-9) in the fifth place match at 114.
Bloomfield eighth grader Harley Rightmire (21-9) pinned Moriarty freshman Kristina Means (13-7) at 3:47 in the fifth place match at 120.
Bloomfield freshman Tiana Williamson (30-12) won by a forfeit over Sandia sophomore Taylor Garcia (19-10) in the fifth place match at 126.
Farmington eighth grader Eliana Juarez (19-12) lost an 8-5 decision to Moriarty junior Makenzie Butler in the seventh place match at 126.
Bloomfield eighth grader Maliah Goins (23-9) scored a 5-2 decision over Capital senior Jennifer Guerra (17-4) in the third place match at 132.
Farmington senior April Archibeque (31-7) pinned West Mesa senior Maia Brown (24-5) at 1:49 in the third place match at 138.
Kirtland Central sophomore Evelyn Auzenne (26-10) scored a 5-1 decision over Cibola senior Brook Ritter (18-10) in the fifth place match at 138.
Bloomfield sophomore Sadie Bair (20-7) pinned Volcano Vista junior Ayla Alvilar (15-16) at 2:15 in the seventh place match at 138.
Farmington sophomore Khyuna White (17-14) pinned Eldorado junior Ava Bateson at 3:33 in the fifth place match at 145.
Bloomfield sophomore Elysse Smith-Oliver (3-20) was pinned by Manzano freshman Devin Langholf (6-12) at 3:58 in the seventh place match at 145.
Farmington freshman Ioanna Ueanimatang (14-23) was pinned by Volcano Vista senior Lauren Manuelito (17-7) at 4:06 in the third place match at 152.
Newcomb freshman Shyla Howe (7-18) lost by a 15-6 major decision to Rio Rancho sophomore Kasyia Bush (5-10) in the fifth place match at 152.
Piedra Vista sophomore Eliana Benevidez (28-8) was pinned by Manzano senior Bre Samora (17-1) at 2:28 in the third place match at 165.
Farmington senior Lilly Delgarito (17-11) won 4-2 over Cibola senior Krista Healy (24-12) in the fifth place match at 165.
Kirtland Central junior Sequoia Clawson (16-16) pinned Northwest senior Tania Begaye-Chiquito (11-17) at 3:42 in the seventh place match at 165.
Farmington sophomore Alissa Deyapp (35-12) pinned Gallup sophomore Timeidra Garcia (11-9) at 0:50 in the third place match at 185.
Shiprock sophomore Raevaughn Lee (18-7) lost by a forfeit to Moriarty sophomore Lydia Gabaldon (10-3) in the fifth place match at 185.
Farmington freshman Anaya Lee (9-14) pinned Kirtland Central junior Tonja Manuelito (20-14) at 2:27 in the third place match at 235.
Highway 264,
I-40, WB @ Winslow