Rattlers take third place

The Tucumcari Rattlers wrestling team places third in their first action since the Christmas break.

“The guys did well Saturday at the Los Lunas Tournament,” said Rattlers wrestling coach Eddie Encinias.

Encinias said the team needed a tough start following the long break.

“I wanted to get them back out there and working hard again right off,” Encinias said. “The guys got a lot out of the tough competition.”

The guys lost to Mayfield (5A) by only 8 points, said assistant coach Donnie Garcia.

“Taking on the 4A and 5A schools will prepare these guys for the district run,” Garcia said.

The guys will do great in district and many of them should place in state if not win it, said Encinias.

“Going by last weekend we are well on the way to a championship season,” Encinias said.

Encinias said he is working the guys harder to prepare them for Amarillo High’s tournament on Thursday followed with a two day tournament in Ruidoso on Jan. 22 and Jan. 23.

“It’s all business from here on,” Encinias said. “The next couple of weekends we have tournaments and then right into district at Saint Michaels.”