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Ezra Miller and Julian Rodriguez on the mat. Clarissa Lizarraga | SMHS
San Manuel Miner
The San Manual wrestling team is battling through adversity after the loss of key members who are out for the season after suffering injuries during football season.
Max Fisher, a 2015 state qualifier, Ruben Hernandez, Isaac Gonzales, and Michael Sanchez are the wrestlers the Miners will miss this season.
The Miners started the season 1 – 5, largely due to giving up five weight classes and 30 points in each match, making it difficult win matches. Additionally, it puts added pressure on the wrestlers in the lighter divisions to secure points, but according to Miners’ head coach Daniel Najera, “that’s what wrestling is all about.”
Najera said it’s his team’s mindset to win every match and steal duals, no matter how far-fetched others believe it is. He added his team needs to overcome these types of challenges to prepare for state competition later this season.
“Our team has refocused and are making the adjustments in their matches to come out on top, Najera told the San Manuel Miner. “We are practicing hard, wrestling very aggressive and physical.”
In recent completion, San Manual defeated Globe (42 – 33) and Hayden (42 – 18) while falling against Catalina Foothills (26 – 33).
Ezra Miller, Franky Renteria, Carlos Salas, and Colbey Stratton each won all three of their matches.
Najera announced Yesenia Arciniega was named Miners’ Wrestler of the Week after she earned her varsity pin against her Catalina Foothills opponent.
“Yesina was the first wrestler cleared this season and the first wrestler at practice every day,” Najera said. “She’s done a great job and has been the model student- athlete that every coach wants on his team.”
The Miners wrestle at Skyline High School this weekend in the Coyote Open.
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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