Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Eagles going for 7th straight

Once again, BHS has solid returners

Jason W. Brooks News-Bulletin Staff Writer; jbrooks@news-bulletin.com

Belen Having won the past six Class 4A state wrestling team titles and the last 4A duals trophy in 2004, it's difficult to see other ways the Belen Eagles could dominate their competition.

But, as with any high school sport, there are always new frontiers to conquer. Belen coach Lee Chaves is always keeping tabs on how well other 4A programs are progressing, but he also knows his team must focus mainly on its own techniques and conditioning.

"We've got to worry about ourselves," said Chaves, who's entering his fourth year guiding the Eagles. "We've got to focus on getting better every day, and getting ready for state."

The Eagles open the 2008-09 season with a trip to the Las Cruces Invite on Dec. 12-13.

Five Eagles — seniors Eric Baca, Stephen Carrillo and Jamie Yalch and juniors Justin Arellano and Tyler East — won individual state championships in 2007-08. Belen went 5-for-5 in championship matches.

The Eagles amassed 253 points, 90 more than the second-place team, Silver.

Thirteen of the Eagles' 14 wrestlers advanced to the second day of competition, and 12 Belen wrestlers placed in the top six, each earning a spot on the medal stand. Nine of those were in the top four in their weight class.

By rocketing so far ahead of the rest of 4A in points, it was easy for the Eagles to focus on winning matches without paying much attention to team points. BHS returns plenty of state placers from that team in addition to defending state champs Arellano and East, so the Eagles are in excellent position for a run at a seventh straight blue trophy.

The Eagles also stayed atop 4A all season long in the News-Bulletin's first-ever preseason coaches wrestling poll.

Arellano won the 112-pound 4A title, while East went undefeated in New Mexico en route to the 215-pound championship. East is expected to wrestle in the heavyweight (285-pound) class this season.

Arellano and East, both transfers from Los Lunas High prior to the start of last season, are joined by Bryce Cargile and Diego McCloud as returning seniors who placed at state. Clovis Rivera, Fred Kloeppel, Joaquin Gonzalez, Matt Gallegos and Josh Griego are other returning wrestlers who give the Eagles their usual depth.

Jordan Freed has returned from the Las Cruces area, where he lived for a short time, and Martin Jurado is another Eagle with potential.

The Eagles will need depth to win the title again, as Chaves says Moriarty is among the top threats to Belen's 4A dominance. The Pintos return 12 wrestlers and have a top transfer from Pennsylvania, said the coach.

"They're very well coached," said Chaves.

One of the benchmarks of Eagle progress has been how well Belen fares head-to-head with Rio Rancho, winners of six of the past seven 5A championships. The Rams have an Arizona state champion joining an already loaded lineup, and the Eagles will likely face Rio Rancho wrestlers individually at several tournaments.

There will be three defending state champions present at a triangular meet on Tuesday, Jan. 6. Rio Rancho will host Belen and three-time defending 1A/3A champion Robertson.

Belen ranked second behind Rio Rancho in the all-classes category in the News-Bulletin poll.

And of course, what Valencia County wrestling season would be complete without Belen and Los Lunas matching up once again? The much-anticipated annual battle between the Eagles and Tigers will be a triangular event this season and will include Valencia High.

It's set for Wednesday, Jan. 21, at LLHS.

The Eagles have only St. Pius, Grants and the second-year varsity of Volcano Vista as their partners in District 6-4A.

Only the top three wrestlers per weight class in 6-4A's individuals tournament will advance to state this season, so it's possible some strong fourth-place wrestlers may not get to the state level.

Chaves also said he has a large group of freshmen this season that have potential.

"We have 14 this year, and that's a big group, but they're very talented," said Chaves.

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