Hózhó wrestling program on the rise: Third-year coach hoping to get multiple qualifiers for state

GALLUP

The wrestling room at Hózhó Academy is growing.

Under the direction of third-year coach Elias Begay, the Wolves have enlisted 18 members for its boys and girls teams.

Part of the program’s growth was hosting its first wrestling tournament on Saturday as six teams competed.

“That was a good experience for us, and it was super challenging,” Begay said. “I was stressing about a lot of things a week prior to it. I think it was a good turnout. We had a few schools that came. There was only one school that backed out.

“As far as expectations, I think we made an impact for our community and school,” he added. “The other impact we made was with our staff and students because a lot of our staff and students came and supported our wrestling teams.”

As a budding program, Hózhó qualified its first wrestler to the state meet last year when then-junior Raine Miller made the state field at 185 pounds. And although she went 0-2 at state, Miller left the program wanting more.

“With our program being really new, I was like, ‘Whoa!’” Miller said of her state qualification. “It was a little scary, but I was happy to be the first one from my school to make state. This year’s it’s pushed me to work harder to actually get on the podium this year.”

Miller is wrestling at 170 pounds, and she is using her experience from last season for her senior campaign.

“I already know what to expect,” she said. “We’re a three-year program and I really want to place at state and show that what we’re doing is working.”

Begay says Miller is one of three girls wrestlers that he’s hopeful to make state tournament, which is under the umbrella of one classification. The Hózhó coach is also keen on senior Zoriahna Cutler at 120 and freshmen Lucia Edaakie (105) and Adrianna Rios (140) of making state.

“I think we have a solid group with the potential to make state,” Begay said. “Zoriahna is a second-year wrestler and she’s doing well. Lucia is a first-year wrestler and she’s showing promise. Adrianna has a chance of making it, too.”

As for the boys squad, Begay said Isaiah James, Cross Malcolm and Alec Watson have a high chance of making state and perhaps place at the state tournament.

Of the three, Malcolm is a first-year wrestler as he is splitting his time as a member of the Hózhó boys basketball team.

“Cross a dual sport athlete,” Begay said. “His primary sport is basketball, and he wrestles for me whenever he gets a chance.”

And although this is Malcolm’s first year wrestling, Begay says his pupil has a family of wrestlers. In addition, he has a background in MMA and jiujutsu.

To earn state qualifications, wrestlers will need to place in the top 7 at the regional meet to guarantee their spots. There are a few wild cards up for grabs for the wrestler who don’t finish in the top 7.

The girls regional tournament is scheduled for Feb. 6-7 at Cleveland High School in Rio Rancho and boys regional is Feb. 13-14 at Tucumcari High School.

For the girls, they will be competing against the elite 5A and 4A programs while the boys will try to earn their spot against traditional powerhouses in teams like Aztec, Bloomfield, Kirtland Central and Miyamura.

“We’re looking forward to the competition,” Begay said. “I like to challenge my kids and I think we’re doing pretty solid as a third-year program.”

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