Nevaeh Bracamonte was one of three Valencia High School wrestlers to advance to state. (Mike Powers | News-Bulletin photos)
Eight local wrestlers, including Kiyah Padilla, of LLHS, qualified to compete in the state tournament.
Eight area competitors advanced to the State Girls Wrestling Championship after placing over the weekend in the Region 2 tournament at Del Norte High School.
Neither Belen, Los Lunas nor Valencia had an individual champion, but Kiyah Padilla, of LLHS, at 107 pounds, and Nevaeh Bracamonte, of VHS, at 126 pounds, were runners-up.
Andie Saiz, of Belen finished, third at the Region 2 wrestling tournament.
The Valencia Jaguars advanced four competitors to state — Bracamonte, Abigail Vigil, Chiara Perez, a wildcard selection, Katie Booth, who reached the semifinals but forfeited her remaining matches for medical reasons.
In addition to Padilla, Mia Carabajal-Hartog reached the state tournament for the Tigers, while Belen wrestlers Andie Saiz and Callie Morgan also advanced.
The state championship, for both girls and boys, will be held Friday-Saturday, Feb. 17-18, at Rio Rancho Events Center.
Mike Powers spent more than 40 years as a television news and sports anchor, mostly in the Albuquerque market. He has won numerous awards including New Mexico Sportscaster of the Year. He covers a wide range of sports, including the Valencia County prep scene.
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April 18, 2024
