By J.T. Keith
Artesia Daily Press
jtkeith@elritomedia.com

For the second year in a row, Artesia senior Isabel Irvin wrestled for the state championship in the 100-pound weight class. Irvin had an outstanding senior campaign and aspired to win a state title before continuing her wrestling career in college.

She almost achieved her goal. Irvin (37-5) was on the verge of winning her first state title when Volcano Vista freshman Esperanza Gallegos pinned her at 2:34 in the second round Saturday at the New Mexico Activities Association wrestling championships at the Rio Rancho Event Center.

Irvin was in control of the match with a 6-4 lead when Gallegos (28-5) took her down and seemed to have her pinned before Irvin lifted her body and shoulders off the mat, apparently escaping the hold. But the referee, parallel with Irvin’s shoulder, called it a pin and the match was over, leaving Irvin, her coach and Artesia fans disappointed and frustrated.

Some fans, believing the match should have continued, looked stunned, asking, “What happened?”

Artesia’s coaches asked the referees to clarify what had happened. By then, Gallegos was running around the mat, celebrating her championship.

“Unfortunately, the match did not go how we wanted it to,” Artesia coach Andy Olive said. “The call, some might perceive as challenging, but being a referee is tough. It is their judgment, and we approach this with the utmost sportsmanship and will learn from it.”

Olive said Irvin’s accomplishments in the wrestling program after joining the team as a sophomore with no wrestling experience were unprecedented. Olive is thankful Irvin had the opportunity to wrestle for Artesia.

“We are very proud of Izzy,” Olive said. “With all her hard work and dedication throughout these years, her journey is not over. She will go on to wrestle in college. I know this will light a fire in her.”

Olive brought five boys to wrestle at the state meet. Two wrestlers (Rylee Kelley and Alejandro Ontiveros) had no experience in the state tournament before this year. Edel Villa (20-15) made it to the quarterfinals before losing.

Hagan Crockett (16-9) had to forfeit in the first round because of an injury. Kelley (24-14) lost in the third consolation round. Ontiveros (23-14) lost in the consolation third round. And Ethan Shannon (19-16) lost in the consolation second round.

Olive will lose three senior boys – Kelley, Crockett and Mason Peterson; and three senior girls – Irvin, Esmeralda Sorrells and Peyton Stone.

“We want to continue to develop our wrestlers,” Olive said. “So, when they graduate, we can keep bringing them up.”

J.T. Keith can be reached at jtkeith@elritomedia.com.