Prep notes: Future Lobo is perfect; Volcano Vista wrestling earns national attention

Every so often, Lobo fans get a sneak preview of what’s ahead.

Jacob Gergen offered New Mexico baseball fans a glimpse of what a mainstay in the pitching staff might look like, as the Hope Christian pitcher went out and threw a complete-game gem.

Well, slightly more than a gem.

A perfect game.

The senior right-hander struck out 11 Belen Eagles last Saturday, in a 3-0 victory.

Gergen has only given up three earned runs for the Huskies in his three appearances so far this season. He has struck out 30 batters in 17 2/3 innings.

VOLCANO VISTA RAKES IN THE AWARDS: At the High School Nationals Coaches Association championships, arguably the top postseason wrestling event in the country and held annually at the end of March in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Volcano Vista produced four All-Americans.

Freshman Akeem Mitchell, sophomore Gabe Serros, and juniors Jonathon Romero and Lorenzo Gallegos earned All-American honors in Virginia. Each competed in brackets against wrestlers from their own grades.

Also at the end, Hawks coach Ahren Griego was honored as New Mexico’s Boys Wrestling High School Coach of the year. Volcano Vista in February became the first Albuquerque Public Schools program to win three titles in a row in the biggest classification.

UNDER THE RADAR: While the majority of New Mexico prep state championships played out on Bob King Court on March 15, one of the state’s former standouts was winning a state title the same day — as a coach — in Colorado.

Jarris Krapcha, Class of 2001 with the burnt orange, coached Eaglecrest High to the Class 6A state championship

Krapcha played four seasons for longtime Eldorado boys head coach Roy Sanchez.

He later became an assistant girls basketball coach at Johnson County Community College.

He next moved to Colorado Springs to coach at Mitchell High, and after a short stay there took over at Doherty High.

After four years at Doherty he became the head coach at Eaglecrest, located in suburban Denver, in Centennial.

The Denver Post named him one of its coaches of the year for his efforts.

YEAR TWO: Like so many sports, the powerlifting state championships ultimately come down to scoreboard.

Who can lift the most pounds? That’s what this really comes down to.

Powerlifting made its debut as an official sport a year ago, and proved to be a popular and riveting visual experience.

State champions, individually, will be decided for the girls on Friday and the boys Saturday.

They’ll be ranked according to how much combined weight they can lift in the squad (10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.), the bench (1-3:30 p.m.) and the deadlift (3:30-6 p.m.)

Team awards will follow each day’s calendar.

This will technically conclude the winter sports season.

THIS AND THAT: Gary Ellis has resigned as Eldorado High School’s girls basketball coach.