TC wrestler takes Joe City title

JOSEPH CITY, Ariz.

The offseason slowed down to a trickle for Tuba City’s Hunter Merino.

The TC senior was feeling antsy about what his wrestling season would look like after sitting out the summer break.

So far, things are looking good for the 144-pounder as he improved his record to 32-4 overall after winning the title at the 51st Annual Joseph City Invitational.

Merino scored a 2-1 decision over Mohave’s Isac Urias in the finals.

“I’m a little bit surprised with my record because I got sick over the summer,” Merino said. “I was feeling iffy about how I was going to do.”

Tuba City coach Ben Nez said Merino is one of his top wrestlers in his program. He’s also very keen on Hunter’s younger brother, Rias, who wrestles at 126.

“Hopefully we can get them to state,” Nez said. “We want them on the podium. That’s their goals and if Hunter can win state this year we want Rias to keep the momentum going.”

Rias, a sophomore, placed third at the Joe City meet with an overtime victory over Mayer’s Chris Teeples. The younger Merino brother edged his opponent in a 9-7 decision.

“He’s doing a lot better than I did when I was a sophomore,” Hunter said of his younger brother.

The two brothers are second generation wrestlers as they had uncles wrestle in high school in Utah.

“We’re kind of following in their footsteps,” Hunter said.

The older Merino brother said he’s looking to medal at state. Last year he made the field in the 133-pound weight class, but he got disqualified one match away from making the podium.

“I’ve never placed at state,” Hunter said, while adding that he did qualify his freshman season.

Due to Covid, he did not wrestle his sophomore season.

As for his disqualification last season, Hunter said he took down a kid too hard.

“I had him locked in my arm, and I pulled him down really hard,” he said.

With postseason aspirations, Hunter said he’s winning most of his matches with pins. On Saturday, he pinned three of his opponents in the opening quarter before facing a stiff test from Urias in the finals.

On Friday, Tuba City is scheduled to compete at the Doc Wright Invitational, a two-day tournament hosted by Winslow High.

“I hope to place in the top 6, maybe top 4,” Hunter said.

“We’re hoping that he places,” Nez said of his pupil. “If he does, we’re gonna feed off of that.”

In addition to the Merino brothers, Nez said he’s hoping to get two other boys wrestlers to state. On the girls team, he’s looking to take two, which includes sophomore Rain Keetso at 114.

“We’ve seen a lot of improvements from her,” the Tuba City coach said.

Keetso took third overall at the Joseph City meet as she improved her record to 5-2 overall.

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