Team New Mexico traveled to Danville, Illinois on March 26th to compete in the USA Middle School Duals.  The team of 17 athletes competed on Saturday and Sunday and eventually captured the 4th place Trophy in the Silver Bracket.

The team began their first day of wrestling by competing against Wyoming.  New Mexico won that match by a score of 48-19.  Later on that day they met up with California.  New Mexico struggled with California's style of wrestling as several boys were struggling.  220 lb, Jeremiah Thompson was able to hang on with some badgering from California, eventually taking that match by disqualification.  New Mexico took the match by a score of 42-35. Later, Team New Mexico met up with the Top Dawgs from Illinois.   But the grit from the Dawgs proved too much for the team as they fell to a score of 54-18 in the 4th round.

Saturday was a long but exciting day of wrestling as Team New Mexico headed into the 5th round, wrestling an Alternate Team.  New Mexico beat Team Alternate with a score of 83-3.  Quickly heading into Round 6, the team met up with DK Bicycle from Ohio.  There was great wrestling in this round but Ohio took New Mexico 58-21.  Team New Mexico finished in 3rd place in their Pool of 6 teams, advancing them into the Silver Bracket of 8 teams for Sunday.

Sunday was a new day and New Mexico knew that they had advanced to the Silver Bracket, a big accomplishment for the team.  They would compete against Nebraska, Texas, and Illinois on this day.  New Mexico Vs. Texas with a final score of 76-7, New Mexico Vs. Nebraska with a final score of 39-50, New Mexico Vs. Illinois with a final score of 23-53.

there were 22 teams from Illinois, Nebraska, Ohio, Texas, Wyoming, Kentucky, Indiana, California, and Oregon.  New Mexico placed 12th overall, Team New Mexico was recognized and stood out because of their custom uniforms, but most of all because of their tough wrestling style.

"Getting Pinned was not an option", said Team Organizer and Coach Eddie Gallegos.  Coach Mike Barreras made it clear that they not allow for the pins, and in most cases, that is exactly what these young men did.  This team did not give in to intimidation and that is the first battle to overcome said Eddie Gallegos.

FOUR TEAMMATES CAME HOME AS ALL AMERICANS!

LEO MAESTAS - 171LB - 7-1 RECORD

JORDAN LARA - 160LB - 7-1 RECORD

BLAS TORRES - 140LB - 6-2 RECORD

ORLANDO GUTIERREZ - 8-0 RECORD

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR YOUNG MEN!

• ISSAC LOPEZ, RAVENS
• JAVIER SALAZAR, NM ELITE
• ADRIAN GEORGE, SANTA FE DEMONS
• BRANDON LEYBA, RIO RANCHO
• ORLANDO GUTIERREZ, NM ELITE
• MIGUEL BARRERAS, NM ELITE
• JORDAN VELASQUEZ, NM ELITE
• ISAIAH ANAYA, SF PATRIOTS
• MARCOS FLORES, RAVENS
• LOREN VIGIL, RAVENS
• BRANDON LEYBA, RIO RANCHO
• KOERY MORROW, MANZANO
• BLAS TORRES, HIGHLANDS
• JORDAN LARA, ST. PIUS
• LEO MAESTAS, RAVENS
• AYDAN HOLGUIN, ST. PIUS
• JERIMIAH THOMPSON, MANZANO