by 
Joseph Lopez works to pin his San Carlos opponent. (Maryssa Sanchez | SMHS)
Six San Manuel wrestlers will complete at this weekend’s Division IV Section IV Tournament that will take place at Willcox High School on Saturday, Feb. 6.
Wrestlers who qualify will compete for state championships later this month at the Prescott Valley Event Center beginning on Feb. 12.
Junior Franky Renteria, who is ranked No. 1 at 160, is one of the Miners who figures to advance to the state tournament.
Freshman Julian Rodriguez (120), senior Joseph Lopez (132), and junior Colbey Stratton (170) also have a great opportunity to advance with Renteria.
The Miners have competed in tournaments at Skyline, Mountain View, and Salpointe Catholic, which are all Division I, II, or II schools. That level of competition has prepared them for this weekend and beyond.
“The schedule we’ve had this year has definitely prepared for the Division IV Sectionals and state tournament,” San Manuel head coach Daniel Najera told the Miner. “We’re battle tested and we should have our guys reach the placing rounds.”
Follow the Miner for complete sectional results.
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.
by by