by 
Rocky Andrade
San Manuel Miner
Rocky Andrade, a member of the Comet Wrestling Club, won the Triple Crown of Wrestling – state championships in Folkstyle, Greco, and Freestyle – one weekend before horse-racing fans hope to see the first Triple Crown winner in 37 years.
Andrade, along with other members of the Comet Wrestling Club, traveled to Highland High School last weekend to wrestle at the 2015 Arizona Freestyle Championships.
More than 500 wrestlers around the state were there to compete for an individual title with 11 of the 500 attempting to complete the Triple Crown.
After previously winning the Folkstyle and Greco state tournaments earlier this year, Andrade successfully pulled off his third state championship, pinning all challengers before recording a first-period win in the finals to claim the rare achievement.
Teammate Samico Salazar also won a state championship at the tournament with a second-period win. The victory was Salazar’s second state championship – he also won the Folkstyle tournament – as he just missed being the second Comet’s member to win a Triple Crown.
Three other Comet wrestlers placed at the tournament, including Anthony Saiz (3rd), Blake Vargas (4th), and Azaiah Saiz (4th).
“Our team has worked so hard,” Comet head coach Daniel Najera told TheMinerin an email. “We had a lot of first year wrestlers who made the commitment to be the best in the state. They came in not knowing the type of commitment this sport demands. There isn’t a better sport to get your kids involved with. The character and work ethic this team has is impressive. They accepted the challenge and their accomplishments say it all.”
Najera also acknowledged parents and the community in the email saying: “Our parents have been amazing and the support from our community is much appreciated.”
Andrew Luberda began writing for Copper Area News Publishers (CANP) in February 2013 after working 15 years in Healthcare Financial Management. Andy covers sports for 11 high schools. His stories are published in Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner and Superior Sun, in addition to the San Tan Valley Daily PRSS and CopperArea websites. Additionally, he has written human interest stories and business profiles. In May 2012, he earned an AAS in Sports Management at Central Arizona College before graduating with a BS in Communication from Arizona State University in 2014. He and his wife, Kelli, have three sons – AJ, Kyle, and Kade.
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