Raider wrestlers settle for second at state

CHANDLER - Cibola beat Ironwood Ridge 46-26 in the 5A Div. II team wrestling semifinals, but lost to Tucson-Sunnyside 54-13 to place second in the state.

The Raiders started off well against the now 13-consecutive state champions. At 103 pounds, Cibola's Martin Zambrano was 11-11 with 20 seconds left and instead of going for the win, found himself pinned.

Then Angel Martinez (112) got an upset win, but in the end the team gave up too many pins and only four wrestlers won. Gabe Miranda (130) finished his season an undefeated 43-0 with a win, Joey Lugo (145) and Kelven Gastelum (160) also won.

Cibola coach Pepe Moreno listed the accomplishments of the Raiders second place team. They placed at every tournament, beat the 5A I eventual champions Mesa earlier in the season and his 10 seniors wrestled far above expectations.

"We'll take a second place to Sunnyside," Moreno said. "Overall it was a pretty good season."

Kofa's wrestling team lost to Sunnyside 44-24 in the 5A Div. II team wrestling semifinals for a third consecutive top four finish. In fact the Kings - third two years ago, second last year - only lose to Sunnyside this late in the season.

"The kids wrestled very well against Sunnyside. I've always felt like its a privilege we've never shied away from," coach Marty Dillon said.

Kofa's winning wrestlers included: Alan Felix (130 pounds) pinned Stephen Moreno in the third period; Jorge Benitez (160) beat Stephen Extract 9-4; Justin Wilmas (191) pinned Andrew Ochoa; Gerardo Lopez (215) won a 6-5 decision over Diego Luna and heavyweight Aaron Cota won a 2-0 decision.