WLV, Trinidad go to the limit in wrestling dual

Trinidad (Colo.) gave up three weight classes via forfeit on Friday afternoon; host West Las Vegas gave up four.

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West Las Vegas 120-pounder Brandon Maddux wrenches his opponent over using a three-quarter Nelson in an exhibition match Friday afternoon. Maddux also picked up a forfeit victory for the Dons.

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Dave Kavanaugh/Optic photo

West’s Frankie Gonzalez works for points in the 138-pound match with Trinidad’s Richard Peña. Gonzalez pinned Peña for one of three falls earned by the home team.

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There wasn’t much difference otherwise in a competitive dual meet between the Miners and Dons. Trinidad took a 48-36 verdict in the team scoring before a crowd of more than a hundred fans at West Las Vegas Middle School.

While most wrestling events’ focus is on the individual matches, the team scoring had a drama all its own in a back-and-forth battle.

Trinidad’s Justin Maldonado (103 lbs.) opened the proceedings with a second-period pin of A.J. Armijo.

West took control when Estevan Lucero (113) pinned Vince Santistevan in the second, and then Dons 120-pounder Brandon Maddux collected a forfeit victory.

However, the Miners regained the lead with forfeits at 125 and 130.

West’s Frankie Gonzalez had a stirring fall against Richard Peña at 138 before Trinidad’s Brandon Madrid pinned Spencer Cole in the first period at 145.

After West’s Andres Lujan (152) accepted a forfeit win, teammate Fernando Lopez (160) prevailed via pin over Damien Montoya.

The squads traded forfeits in the next two classes — Trinidad 170-pounder Jeremiah Torrez and WLV 182-pøunder Dillon Encinias had their arms raised — to keep the team score tight.

But the Miners closed with first-period pins (Oscar Torrez over Sal Lopez at 195 and Brian Shaw over Richard Pacheco at 220) and picked up a forfeit at heavyweight (Ray Riggins).

It was a rare home appearance for the Dons and first-year head coach Joel Luna, who are slated to visit Trinidad for a tournament next Saturday.

Robertson, which competed in this past weekend’s Joe Vivian Classic in Albuquerque, will also be there.