Area wrestlers endure pain, early mornings to score big at state

Las Cruces High School senior wrestler Avery Atma is willing to pay the price for success in the sport he loves.

That means lots of early morning practices, making sure he makes weight and even enduring a ton of pain.

At the state wrestling championships Feb. 18-19 in Rio Rancho, Atma suffered a hairline fracture of the collarbone in the semifinals and a possible injured knee ligament in the final, but was able to persevere to win his third straight state championship.

He finished with a 31-0 record – his second straight undefeated season – and won the New Mexico state title at 126 pounds in the 5A competition.

“I took some Ibuprofen and put some Icy Hot on it (the shoulder),” Atma said. “That was my mentality – one more match. It was my third straight state championship on the line. It was like, ‘One more match to go do it.’”

Atma wasn’t the only standout from Doña Ana County.

The Bulldawgs had another state champion – freshman Alyssa Sedillo in the girls at 100 pounds – and five others who finished in the top six.

Centennial High had a state champion – Tye Barker at  138 pounds in 5A – and one other state placer, while Gadsden High had a wrestler break into the top six.

Alyssa Sedillo took second last year in state as an eighth grader and was able to come home with the gold this year.

Las Cruces High coach Kevin Marks said Sedillo weighs just 90 pounds and has had to wrestle against heavier girls in her bracket.

Sedillo said the difference is her reliance on good technique.

Tye Barker of Centennial High won his second straight state title. Barker, a junior, finished at 38-1 on the season. He said his goal next year is to finish undefeated, beat everyone by pin and win a third straight state title.

Aden Martinez of Las Cruces High took third place at 113 pounds. He placed sixth at 120 last year but wrestled down in weight this year. Having to constantly cut weight kept him focused on his goals, he said.

Ryan Baca, a junior from Las Cruces High, took third place at 145 pounds. Baca was one match away from breaking into the top six last year.

“It’s still not enough; taking first is the goal,” Baca said.

Matt Franco and Elijah Ogas of Las Cruces High took fourth at 195 and sixth at 160, respectively. Marks said they both showed a great deal of unselfishness by wrestling up a weight class and allowing some younger teammates to get experience at state.

Kash Alley, a sophomore from Las Cruces High, also placed at state, taking fifth at 220.

Izaiah Gonzalez of Centennial High took fifth at 285 pounds. Gonzalez, a junior,  wrestled for the first time this year.

From Gadsden High, Tomas Herrera took fourth place at 170 pounds, also at 5A. Herrera credits teammate Mathius Soto with pushing him and keeping him sharp this season.