By MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
La Joya Juarez-Lincoln’s boys wrestling team has won four of the past seven district titles, though never in succession, which is why Saturday’s tournament win went a long way toward affirming what the team is beginning to believe.
“Right now, we’re where we need to be,” coach Armando Resendez said a day after his team won the Coyote Invitational at La Joya High. “From the win last week (in Austin) to this week, the momentum’s carrying over. And the kids have been working really hard. They’ve been getting after it, and we’re just waiting for district to come up.”
The Huskies do, indeed, appear to be peaking after winning the Centex Wrestling Tournament on Jan. 9 and dominating the Coyote Invitational, where they won eight of 14 weight classes. They accumulated 218 points, as a result, far exceeding runner-up Rio Grande City (123.5 points).
The win, Resendez said, was especially encouraging because two of his wrestlers avenged early-season losses. Rene Beas, who is in the 182-pound weight class, endured his only defeat of the year to a McAllen Memorial wrestler. It was the only blemish on Beas’ 22-1 record. But on Saturday, Beas atoned for that to win in overtime against the same wrestler in what Resendez described as “an exciting, tough match.”
Edgar Delgado (220), who entered Saturday with a 24-0 record, defeated a PSJA High wrestler who was responsible last year for beating him to win the district title.
The title Saturday marked the latest in a series of victories for the Huskies, who won district duals before the holiday break. Before that, they had placed second at the McAllen Rowe Tournament before winning the inaugural Dog Pound Classic in December.
“I think we’re doing our best right now,” Resendez said. “We’re pretty healthy. We haven’t had any injuries. Hopefully we don’t get anything in these next two weeks.
“We’re just hungry for that district title. They want to win it. It’s coming down toward to the end of the season, and they’re just practicing, focusing on that goal.”
BALANCED PRODUCTION
At almost every meet, La Joya Palmview’s Isabel Hernandez is certain of one thing — someone’s bound to ask how she managed to fill out a girls roster.
The Lady Lobos coach understands “wrestling is barely growing for girls,” especially in the Valley, which is why she and her assistant are active recruiters on campus. Where some teams may have only a handful of competitors to take to each meet, Palmview has 16 wrestlers available to compete in all 10 weight classes.
The Lady Lobos relied on that depth to win on Saturday, tying two other schools for the most first-place finishers at the Coyote Invitational.
“That’s why I say, you have to promote (the sport),” Hernandez said. “My assistant and I are always talking to other girls. It’s never too late.”
Alyssa Salinas (102) and Steffany Rosas (185) won in their respective weight classes for Palmview. Runner-up San Benito and fourth-place La Joya Juarez-Lincoln also had a pair of first-place finishers. The Lady Lobos pulled ahead, though, by tallying points elsewhere. They had one runner-up, three third-place finishers and two others who grabbed fourth, giving Palmview 135 points to fend off San Benito (114).
By winning, the Lady Lobos secured their second tournament title in as many weeks, after having been crowned at the Gator Roll in Grulla. Prior to that, Palmview had finished third at the Rowe Tournament and second at the Mustang Invitational.
All encouraging signs for a team in pursuit of its first district title, after finishing second the previous year.
“Our team’s just progressing,” Hernandez said. “They looked really good. They’re very aggressive, and they’re ready. They’ve all stepped up and delivered. All season, it’s been a team effort.”
FINAL STRETCH RUN
Only a handful of matches remain before the distict titles are decided. There’s a slate of action scheduled Thursday before the 5A district duals on Saturday at Corpus Christi Moody.
Then, the District 16-5A and District 16-6A tournaments get under way at Sharyland High and Mission High, respectively. Both tournaments begin at 8 a.m. Feb. 5 and run through Feb. 6.