Senior wrestlers set foundation at AHS

Mike Smith
Artesia Daily Press
msmith@currentargus.com

Artesia High School head wrestling coach Andy Olive said three seniors can help the girls wrestling team take a big step forward during this week’s regional tournament in Belen.

Isabel Irvin and Esmeralda Sorrells have been with the wrestling program since year one. Peyton Stone is in her second year of grappling for Olive and the wrestling team.

This season marks the third year that wrestling has been a sanctioned sport at Artesia High School. Before the New Mexico Activities Association (NMAA) gave the OK, Olive said, wrestling was a club sport at Artesia for nearly three years.

Per NMAA regulations, high school and junior high/middle school state-level competitions in New Mexico must be sanctioned in accordance with rules and guidelines set by the association.

Olive is expecting big things from Irvin at the regional meet Friday and Saturday, Feb. 7-8.

Irvin, who competes in the 100-pound weight class, has set the bar for other female wrestlers at Artesia High School, the coach said.

“Last year, she placed second in state,” Olive said.

In her February 2024 title match in Rio Rancho, Irvin was pinned by Las Cruces High School’s Alyssa Sedillo.

“The loss last year was tough on her,” Olive said, but the memory of it is not “getting in the way of her determination to become a state champion.”

In fact, he said, the loss helped Irvin focus for 2025.

Irvin has grown physically and mentally this season, Olive said, and she has her sights set on a first-place trophy at the state wrestling championships Feb. 21-22 in Rio Rancho.

Irvin won her 27th match of the season with a pinfall over Alamogordo’s Alianna Rigales during the regular season finale Jan. 30 at Artesia High School.

Olive said Esmeralda Sorrells’ final season has been productive in the 120-pound weight division and he expects her to qualify for the state tournament during the two-day meet in Belen.

Sorrells scored a pinfall against Alamogordo’s Nylah Zhuckkahosee last week as the Lady Bulldogs defeated the Lady Tigers 42-12.

Peyton Stone, who started wrestling as a junior last year, competes in the 126-pound division.

“I wish she could have started sooner. She’s a dynamic and explosive wrestler,” said Olive. He said he’s confident Stone will qualify for state.

Stone scored a pinfall over Alamogordo’s Brooklyn West last week.

Mike Smith can be reached at 575-308-8734 or via email at msmith@currentargus.com.