Rattlers ready to go after holiday break

The Tucumcari Rattlers wrestling team is prepping for a two day tournament at Randall High School in Amarillo.

With the holiday weekend behind them the Rattlers were back in full swing during Tuesday's practice.

"We worked a lot during the holiday," said junior Matt Pacheco. "Doing all we can to be ready for Randall."

The team is united in their efforts to prepare.

"We are working on getting ready mentally and physically," said junior Patrick Wiegel. "It is going to be good for us to compete against these larger schools and stronger programs."

Coach 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.

"The team is ready to wrestle," said senior Casey Romero. "This tournament will help out the team a lot."

With 41 wrestlers in the program all of the roster spots are full and in many weight classes the team will have wrestle offs to determine who will represent the team in their weight class and who must move up or down in weight.

"You have to earn your spot on this team," assistant coach Donnie Garcia said. "It is a great thing to have so many wrestlers. In the past we had one or two kids that we rotated in classes. Now we have them competing for a chance to wrestle."

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