Gonzales and Meador Lead Pirate Grapplers to Second Place in District
-
GHS senior Nicolas "Nico" Miera, 10, with a drive against Highland High School at an away game earlier in the month. The Pirates will host Highland (18-3, 6-0) on Tuesday, February 15 as both the boys and girls basketball teams wrap up district play this week. Franklin Romero - CC
GRANTS, N.M. – At 106 points, it was enough to place the Grants High School wrestling team in second place at the 5 4-A district wrestling meet this past weekend at Belen High School, the host of the district tournament. The Grants high school wrestling team was led by Larry Meader (138 pounds) and Manuel Gonzales (126 pounds) who placed first in their respective weight classes. The top Pirate results of the meet are as follows: Joe Clawson placed second in the 106-pound weight class. Ryan Welsh placed third in the 113-weight class followed by Josh Williams in the 120-pound weight class who placed second.
Manuel Gonzales, a sophomore, took first place in the 126 pound weight class after defeating Quinton Thompson of Belen in a 7-2 decision. Larry Meader at the 138 pound weight class placed first place after defeating Aaron Moya of Belen by a Fall at :13 seconds. Gabriel Perea placed third in the 182 pound weight class. Jordan Naef placed third with a bye. Pirate big man Xavier Arias in the 285 pound weight class placed third in his respective weight class.
The state tournament will be held this upcoming weekend at the Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho.
Belen High School placed first in the district with a score of 228 points. Rounding out the rest of the district 5 4-A wrestling teams scores were as follows: St. Pius High School placed third with 79 points. Valencia High School placed fourth with 75 points, and Highland High School placed fifth with 74 points.
Basketball Round-Up
The GHS boys’ basketball team traveled to Valencia High School and played a highly charged and emotional game that ended in a 56-51 loss. “Missed free throws in the fourth quarter were ultimately our Achilles Heel—emotions were high and we gave fans everything they could have asked for in a competitive district match up,” said Head Coach Landon Chavez. The Pirates are currently 9-11 and 2-3 as they hosted the number one team in the state Tuesday, February 15 the Highland Hornets who are currently 18-3, 6-0. (Scores were not available by press time.)
“After a big loss on the road to Highland [69-31 played on January 28] we have formulated a new game plan and are excited for the challenge to compete with a very formidable opponent,” said Chavez. “Expect tons of fight from our squad as we still have everything to play for approaching the state selection.” Game time will be 7 p.m. on Tuesday at home the Pirates will wrap up district play with two away games later this week. On Thursday, February 17 they will play St. Pius (13-7, 3-3) whom the Pirates defeated 52-45 on February 5. On the bus for a second day in a row the Pirates will take on the Belen Eagles (14-9, 3-3) on Friday, February 18.
The lady Pirates basketball team (6-15, 1-4) is coming off a 59-43 loss to district rival, the Valencia Jaguars (15-9, 5-2) and will also wrap up their district play this week. On Tuesday, February 15th they will travel to Highland High School (17-5, 6-0) followed by a home game with St. Pius (9-10, 3-3) on Thursday, February 17. Their final game will also be a home game against the Belen Eagles (1-22, 0-6).
Grants High School basketball standings
Pirate Boys Varsity League
2-3 (4th, 4A District 5)
Overall
9-11
Home: 2-4
Away: 4-4
Lady Pirate Varsity League
1-4 (4th 4A District 5)
Overall
6-15
Home: 2-7
Away: 3-4
Laguna-Acoma Hawks Basketball
Hawk Boys Varsity League
0-2 (4th 2A District 1)
Overall
1-15
Home:0-10
Away: 1-5
Lady Hawks Varsity League
2-0 (1st 2A District 1)
Overall
13-5
Home: 6-3
Away: 4-0