Wrestling: Thunderbird wins D-III crown, Camp Verde claims D-IV title

February 13, 2015 by Les Willsey, AZPreps365


Thunderbird High stormed past Amphitheater in the consolation round Friday and went on to regain the Division III state wrestlling title at Prescott Valley Events Center.

Thunderbird's depth proved too much for other schools to match. The Chiefs had nine wrestlers place, including two state champs -- Tyler Rittenhouse (160-pounds) and Diego Rodriguez (182). Thunderbird finiished with 170.5 points. Amphi was second (147) followed by Seton Catholic (102), Show Low (97.5) and Moon Valley (96.5). Thunderbird won the title for the fourth time in the las five years. Holbrook ended a three-year win-streak last year.

Amphi and Seton garnered three individual champs each. Amphi's champs are Yarhoki Aldiva (132),Geovanni Payan (145) and Kyle Rodriguez (195). Seton's champs are  Quentin Hovis (138), Brandon Konecny (152) and Sergio Chavez (170). Moon Valley and Combs had a pair of champs each. Moon Valley's are David Mendez (120) and Davion Gray (220).  Combs champs are Ted Rico (126) and Riley Bourgeous (285). Also winning titles were Coconino's Isaac Cabrera (106) and Show Low's Jackson Allen (113).

In the Division IV state tournament, Camp Verde notched a three-peat edging out hearty challenges from Morenci and Willcox for the team crown. Camp Verde maintained a narrow lead throughout the tourney and closed out with 167 points. Morenci was second with 158.5 and Willcox third with 153. Fourth-place went to St. Johns (127) and fifth to Benson (115).

Camp Verde had the most champs with three -- Hayden Uhler (113), Alex Casillas (120) and Ryan Allred (152).Overall the Cowboys had seven wrestlers place. Three schools registered two champs each -- Morenci, St. Johns and Snowflake. Morenci's champs were Christian White (170) and Santiago Robledo (285). St. Johns got titles from Sherod McBride (160) and Brandon Naegle (220). Snowflake got back-to-back crowns in the middle weights -- Cole Mortensen (138) and Wacey Wood (145). The rest of the individual champs in the division are Yuma Catholic's Tommy Hernandez (106); Joseph City's Wryder Richards (126); Round Valley's Ethan Workman (132); Benson's Kieran Maakestad (182) and Pima's William Hemphill (195).