Take a look at thrilling moments from state wrestling

Nick Mertz of La Cueva yells after becoming the 5A boys state wrestling champion for the 189 weight class at the Rio Rancho Events Center on Saturday, Feb 22, 2025

West Mesa's Kayla Jose, left, and Socorro's Sasha Gonzalez wrestle in the 120-pound class at the state tournament Feb. 22 at the Rio Rancho Events Center.

ABOVE: Valentine Popadiuc of St. Pius, right, throws Zach Sanders of Aztec, during Saturday’s state wrestling tournament at the Rio Rancho Events Center. BELOW: Jonathon Romero, of Volcano Vista, takes on Tristan Dodd of Cleveland

Eloise Woolsey, of Cleveland, pins Jade Blackhart of Los Alamos during Saturday’s state wrestling championship at the Rio Rancho Events Center.

V Sue Cleveland High School boy’s head coach Evan Copeland yells to his wrestler in Riley Haussler during his state wrestling match against Mason Posa of La Cueva at the Rio Rancho Events Center on Saturday, Feb 22, 2025

Jonathon Romero of Volcano Vista takes on Tristan Dodd of Cleveland during Saturday’s state wrestling championship at the Rio Rancho Events Center.

Sasha Gonzalez of Socorro wins the state championship at 120 pounds during Saturday’s tournament at the Rio Rancho Events Center.

James Bachicha of Los Lunas holds Lorenzo Gallegos of Volcano Vista on his shoulder during 5A boys state wrestling match for the 160 weight class at the Rio Rancho Events Center on Saturday, Feb 22, 2025

Analisya Lopez of West Las Vegas (above) tries to hold Sophia Rimbert of Atrisco Heritage (below) to the ground during the girl's state wrestling match for the 126 weight class at the Rio Rancho Events Center on Saturday, Feb 22, 2025

Josiah Neri of Rio Rancho (left) takes on Roman Luttrell of Cleveland (right) during the 5A boys state champion match for the 121 weight class at the Rio Rancho Events Center on Saturday, Feb 22, 2025

Logan Gosnell of Bloomfield wins the 4A boys state championship at 215 pounds during Saturday’s tournament at the Rio Rancho Events Center.

Dane Padilla of St. Pius X (left) grabs CJ Saiz of Aztec arm during the boys 4A state wrestling match for the 107 weight class at the Rio Rancho Events Center on Saturday, Feb 22, 2025

Eli Archibeque of Rio Rancho takes on Maddox Martinez of Atrisco Heritage during the 5A boys state championship match for the 107 weight class at the Rio Rancho Events Center on Saturday, Feb 22, 2025

Wrester from the 120 girls weight class Sasha Gonzalez of Socorro (background) holds down Kayla Jose of West Mesa (foreground) during state wrestling at the Rio Rancho Events Center on Sunday, Feb 22, 2025

Elias Martinez of Cleveland High School jumps up in celebration of winning the boys 5A state championship for the 114 weight at the Rio Rancho Events Center on Saturday, Feb 22, 2025

La Cueva’s Mason Posa, behind, defeated Riley Haussler, of Cleveland, to win his fourth straight state title Saturday.

Valentine Popadiuc of St. Pius X (below) throws his coach (above) onto the mat in celebration of becoming the 4A boys 152 weight class state champion at the Rio Rancho Events Center on Sunday, Feb 22, 2025

State wrestling competitors put their heart over their chest for the pledge of allegiance at the Rio Rancho Events Center on Saturday, Feb 22, 2025

Jessica Baca

Jessica Baca Jessica Baca Jessica Baca Photographer

Published February 22, 2025 - 11:45 p.m. Modified February 23, 2025 - 1:33 p.m.

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