Tucumcari prepares to host tournament

Rattlers wrestlers practice pace increased as they prepare to host 14 teams Saturday at the annual Rattlers Invite at the Snake Pit.

We will have close to 14 schools ready to compete at 9 a.m. Saturday, said assistant coach Donnie Garcia.

The schools that will participate in the annual wrestling tournament include, Robertson, Los Lunas, Valencia, Belen, Ruidoso, River Road (Amarillo), Randall (Amarillo), Dumas, Texas and Bushland, Texas.

"It only gets harder from here," said Rattlers head coach Eddie Encinias. "You refuse to push yourselves to get better."

Encinias words echoed throughout Rhodes Gym as the Rattlers hastened their efforts.

"You have the choice do we go one more minute or six," Encinias said. "The choice is yours. Your performance determines how much longer you go."

At the beginning of the year the wrestling team had 46 members, as of Tuesday there are 35.

The past two weeks have been a trial in endurance for the Rattlers, Encinias said. He said a 12th place finish at Randall and a loss to Roswell High at the Goddard Tournament show the team has much to improve.

"We are not where we want to be," Encinias said. "But give it a bit of time and we will be."

Coach had little time to talk as he walked amongst the Rattlers encouraging them to push hard and avoid the buddy system.

"You are not buddys on the mat," Encinias said. "You will not get better if the guy you are training with takes it easy with you or gives you a break."