by Panhandle Al
ITW Staff Writer

Another season is upon us and West Texas a/k/a “The Panhandle” is pumped and ready for a great season of wrestling. Canyon Randall should be the area team to beat this year with Amarillo Caprock right on their heels.

Here is a brief look at the top teams and a ranking of the area:

1. Canyon Randall – This team is poised to have a very good year. Leading the team are seniors, Brandon McDonald (119) a two-time state placer and All-American, Kalvin King (125) three-time state qualifier, Cameron Padilla (160) returning state placer is coming off an injury but is ready to return to state form, and Chance Cupp (215) was unable to wrestle last year due to a football injury but is ready to focus only on wrestling this season. In addition, will be state qualifiers junior Joey Sykes (171), sophomore Joseph Flores (189), and Josh Martinez (112). Rounding off the team of returning wrestlers will be Cody Dudding (180) a state alternate from last year. Joining the team this year will be two very solid freshmen wrestlers Victor Dodson (103) and Jace Bennett (130). This should be a very solid team and could make a run for the state championship for the first time in school history.

2. Amarillo Caprock – This should be a very solid team as well. Caprock gave Randall a run for their money last year and beat them in a dual once. They will be lead by returning seniors Harvey Suarez (125) a 2005 state champion at 103 and took second at state last year at 119, Thomas Harris (112) returning state qualifier, Devon Woods (180) also a returning state qualifier. They have a few good young guns moving up due to the loss of some seniors from last season. Sophomore Rene Montoya (130/135), sophomore Chris Holmes (171), Eric Montoya (160) and Jeremiah Johnson (189/215), junior JJ Naranjo (HWT).

JR Note: If you haven’t read the story out of Amarillo about the heroism of wrestler Andrew Santos and Caprock wrestling coach Chris Allen and the others involved I urge you to go to “Breaking News” in the forum and click on the link. It is one of the most amazing stories I have ever read.

3. Borger - The Bulldogs will be returning three-time state qualifier Jeremy Watson. Senior Jeremy (160/171) is a very solid wrestler and will most likely contend for a state championship. Another contender will be senior Kaleb Luna (145/152). He is a two-time state qualifier; also returning for Borger is state qualifier senior Trey Haberman (171/180). Borger has a very tough sophomore by the name of “Juice” Watson, not really sure what weight he will be wrestling but with that nickname you can bet he will be a force to be reckoned with no matter what weight he is.

4. Amarillo Tascosa – The Rebels will be returning three-time state Qualifier Senior Joe Quinto (130) and two time state qualifier Junior Collin Brown (135/140, they should also have a very solid wrestler in Chris Ruiz (103/112). I don’t have a whole lot of information on this team but I am sure Coach Cobb will have a good line up as he usually does.

5. Amarillo High – I spoke with Coach Clear and he has told me that this will be a rebuilding year for the Sandies. He has two returning seniors Kasey Urguhart (135) and Tyler Dalke (171) Coach Clear has a couple of juniors move-in. One is Mike Tran (103) from Wisconsin. He believes that he will be force at this weight. The other move-ins are at (140) and (189). I didn’t get either of their names. The rest of the team will be made up mostly freshmen and sophomores.

6. Boys Ranch - I spoke with Coach Jones and he is also in a bit of a rebuilding year. He had two wrestlers that have left the Rough Riders and are now at Randall. Coach Jones will have three seniors to lead his team; Russell Douglass Regional Qualifier at 189, Josh Ito (152), and Peter Penagos (130).

7. Dumas- Dumas lost Jason Logan and Taylor Torisk to graduation last year. Returning this year will be state alternates Irving Viscaino (112) and senior Levin Cornelius (119).

8. Hereford - I spoke with the new head coach at Hereford, Coach King. He has a few wrestlers that he believes will be tough this season. Junior Norman Grumbach (130) was a regional qualifier as a freshman but was injured last year and was out for the season. Junior Ethan Sauceda (160), senior Edward Gutierrez (145) and junior Victor Mendoza (140). Coach King also talked some about his girl’s team. He has a state placer returning, junior Luzette Villegas (128) placed third last season. He also believes he has stand out wrestlers in Kristen Irvegos (148), Vanessa Saucedo (95) and Allison Medina.

9. Amarillo Palo Duro – The Dons lost their only state qualifier form last year to graduation. Coach Nelson may have a rough year but should have a full squad due to the size of the school.

10. Pampa – The Harvesters will be returning State qualifier Senior Richard Leal (103/112).

11. River Road - This is the only team that I really have no information on. The Wildcats lost their coach of the past three years and I have not heard from the new Coach at River Road. They lost their only state qualifier, Michael Latham (135) to graduation. This will be more than likely a tough year for the Wildcats.

12. Bushland - This is a new school with a first year wrestling program. I will let you know if anything develops here.

Well that wraps it up for now. I am sorry that I didn’t have more information on some of the schools. I was unable to collect any information from the Lubbock schools but will update as much as I can when I get some information from them. Have a great season and Good Luck to all.
Panhandle Al