Valencia junior wrestlers place second at championships

Los Lunas

The New Mexico State Junior Wrestling Championships were held recently, and for the Valencia Jaguars Junior Wrestlers the event was a successful one.

The meet drew 34 teams from around the state, and the Valencia girls team scored a second-place finish overall at the event and had numerous individual wrestlers place in events. Five wrestlers took home state champion honors.

Sadie Stephenson won the 6U State Championship. Jaedyn Carrillo took the honors in 8U at 42-pounds, while Hailey Stephenson took the 8U at 65-pound division. Adrianna Berni won the 12U division, and Katie Booth took the 15U division.

The girls team also had six other wrestlers that place in the top five in their divisions.

Aurelia Barela took second place in the 8U at 69-pounds pounds. Alaura Alderete, Kristiana Chavira and Jaidyn Torres-Romero took home third-place finishes in their respective divisions. Averie Madrid took home a fourth-place finish in her division and Aubree Flowers took a fifth-place finish in her division.

On the boys side, the Jaguars saw 12 different wrestlers place inside the top six in their divisions.

Taking home second-place finishes were Chasing Al-hanfoosh, Caiden Sais, Diego Perea and Cristiano Jojola.

Richard Madrid and Yovan Suarez took home third-place finishes in their respective divisions. Jorgen Booth, Luke Chavez, Alessio Cisneros and Dominic Suarez all took home fourth-place finishes at the event.

Jeremiah Chavira placed fifth in his division, while Salvador Barela took sixth in his division.

“I’m really proud of all of the kids,” head coach Dominic Sosa said. “To have 34 teams there; we were wrestling the best of the best.”