LOS LUNAS — One of the most anticipated athletic match-ups in Valencia County is the annual Belen versus Los Lunas dual wrestling meet, and Wednesday’s showdown in the Tiger gymnasium did not disappoint.
Not only is this a long-running rivalry, but each program is among the best in New Mexico. The BHS Eagles are the defending 4A state champions and one of the favorites to win again.
LLHS, a comfortable winner on this night, finished fourth at the 5A state meet in 2023 and has the talent to challenge for the podium again.
Mike Powers| News-Bulletin photos
A large crowd enjoyed Wednesday’s dual wrestling match between Belen and Los Lunas, which was won by the Tigers, 43-24.
In front of a sea of maroon on the visitor’s side and home team fans wearing a mix of orange and blue on the west bleachers, the combatants squared off in the middle. The dual meet itself also started in the middle of the 13 weight classes, at 152-pounds.
Los Lunas got off quickly, with Aaron Pyle earning a 14-2 superior decision.
“It’s very overwhelming,” Pyle said about being the first on the mat. “As long as I win, I set the tone for my team and that’s what I’m here to do.”
The Tigers built a 16-0 lead with pins by James Bachicha at 160 pounds, and Jonathan Trujillo at 171 pounds.
BHS got on the board with an impressive 6-2 decision by Eagles’ 189-pounder Augustine Lopez.
“He put it into his ‘over and under hook,’” Lopez said about a move his opponent tried. “He doesn’t know that I like that a lot.”
Lopez admitted feeling some pressure to get Belen’s first victory, but the situation gave him “more determination—more inspiration.”
Los Lunas built the lead to 25-3 behind a 4-2 decision at 215 pounds by Andrew Romero, and a pin by Josiah Baca at heavyweight.
Los Lunas wrestlers celebrate after Noah Gurule registers one of six pins Wednesday against Belen during the annual dual competition.
When the lineup turned to the lower weights, the Eagles had more success. Josh Jaramillo scored a fall at 107 pounds, as did 114-pounder Manny Vardez. That made the score 25-15, giving BHS hope.
However, LLHS answered with three pins in a row — Andrew Sanchez at 121 pounds, Noah Gurule, who wrestled up a class at 127 pounds, and Ernie Gonzales at 133 pounds.
A hard-fought decision by Belen’s Diego Avila at 145 pounds ended the night with Los Lunas winning the match 43-24.
“My kids wrestled terrific; they really did,” said LLHS coach Steve Chavez. “Everybody wrestled to their potential. We had some pins that I thought we weren’t going to get.”
Belen’s Diego Avila worked hard for a decision against Robert Perea, of Los Lunas, Wednesday during the annual dual competition.
Belen coach Nick Sanchez said the Eagles’ middleweights got it done, however, “I was disappointed in some matches, some 50-50 matches.”
Both coaches did agree that it was a good night for wrestling.
“It was nice. It was really nice,” Chavez said of the atmosphere. “It was an amazing battle.”
“It was fun. The kids enjoyed it. We’ll keep doing it,” Sanchez said with a smile.
Rhe evening started with the girls’ competition, which had two forfeits and two matches, both decided by pins.
Olyvia Sanchez, of Belen, won at 114 pounds, while Rebekah Conroy, of Los Lunas, was victorious in the 107 pound weight class.
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 25, 2024
