Rattlers finish first at tournament

QCS Staff

The Tucumcari Rattlers wrestling team placed first on Saturday at the River Road tournament in Amarillo.

In only their second week of competition the Rattlers had 15 out of 18 wrestlers medal at the open tournament, said head coach Eddie Encinias.

Five Rattlers took first place they were : Chris Apodaca (130), Matt Pacheco (135), Casey Jendusa (145), Patrick Wiegel (160) and Adam Lopez (171).

"It was a good tournament" Encinias said. "But some of the teams were missing wrestlers because of state football."

Encinias said despite their first place finish the team is working even harder to prepare for what he says is "the toughest duals tournament" of the year.

"We will see some of the toughest competition at Randall's two day duals tournament," Encinias said.

Encinias said there are 24 teams that will compete including two teams out of Kansas , an Oklahoma team, and a team out of Arlington, Texas.

"To make it to the second day put you in the top 12," Encinias said. "We have made it to the second day a few times."

Encinias said he tells the team not to worry about the win but concentrate on getting better and taking advantage of the tough competition.

"The reason we compete in these Texas tournament is the wrestlers are beasts," Encinias said. "They are very physical and do not want to lose to anyone especially a New Mexico team."

The Rattlers will compete on Saturday at Randall High at Amarillo.