Montoya Signs National Letter

A Class 5A boys state tennis tournament without La Cueva?

There’s never been one — until this year.

The Bears have won 10 of the 11 state 5A titles since New Mexico added a fifth classification in 2001, but La Cueva won’t even qualify for this year’s tournament.

Tennis differs from most sports in terms of how it qualifies teams for state. The top two finishers in each of 5A’s five districts move on to the postseason. There are no at-large selections — unlike football, soccer, basketball and baseball, to name a few. Which is why La Cueva will be MIA at state.

Since the Bears lost head-to-head District 2-5A matches to both Eldorado and Sandia (each by a 5-4 score), La Cueva can’t finish any better than third place. Eldorado was left out in an similar scenario last year.

La Cueva coach Dick Johnson and Eldorado coach Mike Pick said they’d like to see district champs qualify automatically, but have remaining teams chosen by a committee or through some type of a power-rating system.

Montoya decides

Volcano Vista’s Eric Montoya, the first Albuquerque Public Schools wrestler in 25 years to win four individual state titles, has signed his national letter of intent.

Montoya has signed with Campbell University, a Division I program in the Southern Conference.

Montoya took a visit to Campbell just after winning his fourth title in February. The school is located in Buies Creek, N.C.

Metro All-Americans

West Mesa’s DeShun Brown, Volcano Vista’s Lawrence Otero and Rio Grande’s Gabe Montaño were among those who became All-Americans at the recent National High School Coaches Association Wrestling Championships in Virginia Beach, Va.

Brown won a national title in the Sophomores division at this event in 2011. He was fourth at 120 pounds in this year’s Juniors. Otero, also a junior, was fifth at 132 pounds. Montaño was sixth at 106 pounds in Seniors.

The event attracted a handful of New Mexico’s best seniors, including Volcano Vista’s Montoya, Highland’s Cody Marquez and St. Michael’s Jess Martinez, although none placed.

Robertson’s Richard Montoya was third at 113 pounds in the Freshman division. Rio Rancho’s Miguel Barreras, a ninth grader, was fourth at 131. Another frosh, Anthony Juckes of Piedra Vista, was eighth at 120.

The top eight earn All-America status.
— This article appeared on page D2 of the Albuquerque Journal