WRESTLING

Cavemen start strong at Southwest Duals

Current-Argus Staff
Carlsbad senior Kyle Mallett won both of his matches Friday at the Rio Rancho Southwest Duals.

RIO RANCHO, N.M. – The Carlsbad wrestling team started the new campaign on a strong note, taking down Atrisco Heritage Academy 42-33 and Kansas’ Blue Valley 54-26 Friday at the Rio Rancho Southwest Duals.

Cody Wood, RJ Baca, Kyle Mallett and Adrian Flaco won all of their respective matches. Mason Box, Fabian Padilla, Noah Leija and Mateo Messer won three of their four respectively matches.

The Cavemen competed in four matches on Friday.

Carlsbad had a bye during the first round before facing Atrisco Heritage, which coach Ryan Salcido said is a top-five caliber program in New Mexico.

“For us to beat Atrisco Heritage, it kind of shows the resilience and heart that this team has,” Salcido said. “We had a little rust to shake off, and we had to get the guys in a groove. We all stuck together, and the energy levels were high.”

Salcido said Carlsbad had “phenomenal” speed to start the tournament.

Salcido said it was good to see Carlsbad start the season the way it did across the board.

“That just shows the type of fight our guys have,” Salcido said. “I’m just really happy with where we’re at.”

Salcido also said he was happy with Friday’s results because Carlsbad lost both its first two team outcomes on the opening day of this tournament last season.

The Cavemen concluded the night beating Renegade 71-12 and losing to host school Rio Rancho 37-34.

Carlsbad will return to action at 9 a.m. Saturday for the second day of the tournament.

“We’ve still got to keep working. We’re definitely not content,” Salcido said.

CARLSBAD 42, ATRISCO HERITAGE 33

CARLSBAD 54, BLUE VALLEY 26

CARLSBAD 71, RENEGADE 12

RIO RANCHO 37, CARLSBAD 33

Up next for Carlsbad: Day two of Rio Rancho Southwest Duals 9 a.m. Saturday