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Thursday, February 21, 2008

Manzano Crowned District Champs

By Harold Smith
Mountain View Telegraph
    The Manzano High wrestlers captured the District 5-5A title with duals victories against perennial powers Los Lunas and Rio Grande on Saturday.
    At Rio's gym in the South Valley, the Monarchs defeated Los Lunas 52-15 and the host Ravens 43-25 to conclude the regular season with an undefeated record in district duals. Manzano (11-2, 4-0) previously beat 5-5A foes Highland and Eldorado on Feb. 9.
    "We just move on to the next challenge," Monarchs first-year coach Dan Sparago said. "We had about a day to enjoy it. Now, we move on to state (this weekend at the Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho)."
    Sparago and district coordinator Bob Kelly did not know when Manzano last won a district championship.
    "I'd have to look back at my archives," said Kelly, who was the athletic director at Manzano prior to retiring in 2005. "I can't remember. It's been awhile. I looked in the trophy case and didn't see one.
    "I don't think I ever won one," Kelly continued. "I'd have to go back before that. I retired (as wrestling coach) in 1985."
    The Monarchs did earn Class 4A state crowns in 1975 and '78, according to the New Mexico Activities Association.
    Six Manzano wrestlers earned district individual titles this season. The winning Monarchs were:
   

103 pounds— junior Justin Martinez
   

112— junior Kenneth Eye
   

119— junior Jordan Eye
   

125— senior Matt Whiting
   

215— senior Travis Barr
   

Heavyweight— senior Albert Gonzales
    Barr has improved dramatically.
    "I've just been working hard, and our coaches are great," said Barr, who lives in Sandia Park. "I think it's the conditioning. Hopefully, I can continue to wear people out and continue to work on the little things."
    Manzano's district runners-up included:
   

135— senior Bryant Flores
   

152— senior Matt Raymer
    Raymer also is a Sandia Park resident.
    There's a good deal of parity among Class 5A teams this season.
    "Rio Rancho, Cibola and Albuquerque High will be tough (at state)," Sparago said. "And Sandia is a tough team. But this tournament, everyone is going to be tough."
    The Monarchs, who won the Albuquerque Public Schools City Tournament on Feb. 1-2, have a shot at the state title, and if not, they have a good chance for a top-three trophy. In addition, Sparago said he has some potential individual champions.
    "We'll find out (how they compare tonight) at the seeding meeting," the coach said. "But I think my 103 (Martinez), 112 (Kenneth Eye) and 119 (Jordan Eye) have a good chance. And I think my 189 (Caleb Krumel) has a good chance. Maybe my 152 (Raymer), too."
    Krumel lives in Cedar Crest.
    The state tourney's championship round is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Saturday.
    "There's a little bit of nervousness mixed in with the excitement," said Barr of the upcoming showdown. "We're here to compete, and we hope everything goes well."
   
Manzano swimming
    The Monarchs wrapped up the regular season at the unscored meet at the West Mesa Aquatic Center on Friday.
    Manzano's state qualifying girls include Marissa Campbell (50- and 100-yard freestyle), Sanne van Swol (200 individual medley and 100 butterfly), Hannah Mercier (100 free and 100 breaststroke) and Jennifer Wylie (1-meter diving).
    The Lady Monarchs also qualified in all three relays.
    The Manzano boys did not qualify any swimmers or divers for state.