MV wrestling: Mustangs gets four sectional champs heading into state

WINSLOW

Of the five finalists, the Monument Valley wrestling team got four sectional champions at Saturday’s Division IV, Section II meet.

Senior Matthew Curley got the coronation started by winning the 106-pound weight class. Junior Joseph Rodriquez claimed the 126 title followed by wins from Davin Salt at 157 and Tashawn Miles at 165 while Leander Tsinigine took second at 285.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better finish,” MV coach Chee BiNali said. “As coaches, we’re very proud of them because they put out more than 116 percent today.”

The five finalist helped the Mustangs to a third-place finish in the team standings as MV was a mere half-point of tying Page for second.

With 201 points, St. Johns won the team title while Page finished with 181.5 and MV scored 181.

BiNali said his team was docked four points with wrestlers taking off their straps during the match.

“It was a team thing,” he said. “We keep telling the kids about accountability and responsibilities.”

In addition to those five finalists, the Mustangs gained five other state qualifications with Jaron Anagal (132) and Shaun Tuni (150) taking third while Clayton Begay (113), Justin Yazzie (120) and Tristan Laughter (144) placing fourth.

“We had 12 wrestlers competing and we had that goal of sending 12 to state, but we’re good with 10,” BiNali said. “We’re going to go back to the drawing board and we still have that top 8 in our in our mindsets.”

A majority of his state qualifiers want to medal and the MV coach believes they can.

“It’s a very strong possibility,” BiNali said. “You know, wrestling is a mental game. Part of that mentality is being disciplined and we got guys waking up in the morning doing drills and workouts that is set aside from the 90 minutes we do each day at practice.”

At 157, Salt earned a fall over St. Johns’ Ammon Jessop.

“I was sort of nervous, but I wanted to win that match,” Salt said.

This is Salt’s second qualification and as the sectional champ he’s seeded No. 4 in his bracket for state.

The MV grappler said he’s seen vast improvements with his agility and strength and he credits weight training coach Ollie Whaley for those advancements.

“I’ve been in the weight room and I did what coach Whaley told me to do,” Salt said. “If it weren’t for the weight room, I probably won’t be where I’m at right now.”

The 165-pound champion also earned a fall in his title match as Miles pinned Holbrook’s Brayden Taylor in the second period.

“It means a lot for me to go to state because I get to prove myself,” said Miles, who played on the Mustang basketball team last year.

For this year’s state meet, he’s seeded fourth in his weight class. With his sectional win, Miles said winning the title gives him a ton of confidence to work with.

“I feel real good about state,” he said. “I want to try and medal.”

At 126, Rodriguez improved his record to 22-3 overall after earning a fall over Page’s Conner Peterson in the sectional finals.

“I did better than what I expected,” Rodriguez said.

As for the state meet, the MV junior is looking to improve on his third-place finish as the tournament’s No. 2 seed.

“I hope to do better than what I did last year,” said Rodriguez.

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