RENO, Nev. — If you asked most any professional what their secret to success was they’d probably tell you practice. And that’s why if you check in on 3A wrestling's defending state champions three days before Christmas, you’d find them a thousand miles from home competing in the Reno Tournament of Champions.

In Reno Alamosa faced some wrestlers that most likely would not be standing in the way of a individual title, much less a team title for the boys in black and maroon. It's truly telling on the group of young men's work ethic. Because despite the success Alamosa achieved as a team last year it's evident the Moose are not content to rest on laurels. And the hard work they put in on the road over the holiday weekend will most likely pay dividends come February.

As a team Alamosa finished in 13th place with a team score of 98. Alamosa’s B squad picked up 12 team points to place 96th. Not surprisingly Alamosa’s top two individual state champions were the two to place at the nationwide competition.

At the 106-pound weight class was sophomore Davion Chavez. Davion advanced to the quarterfinals where he faced Zach Espalin of Chandler, AZ. Davion would fall by way of a 17-8 major decision. Davion would later forfeit the seventh place match to Gabe Wisenhunt of Cresent Valley, OR to take eighth. 

At the 126-pound weight class was senior Joe Chavez. Joe made it all the to the quarterfinals before meeting Jason Miranda of Poway, CA. Miranda outscored Joe to earn a decision by way of a 4-0 score.  In the fifth place match Joe would relent a 22-7 technical fall to Mosha Schwartz of Ponderosa, CO to take sixth overall.

Other Alamosa grapplers picked up wins but missed placing. Alamosa senior Elijah DeLaCerda made it to the final 16 competitors in the championship bracket and would end his day with a record of 2-3. Other teammates that earned wins to advance to a pool of 32 within the championship bracket were Eyan Chavez, Hunter Smith, Andres Mondragon, Austin Trujillo and Colton Liddell.

Alamosa will take some much-deserved rest for the holidays and go right back to work. The Moose are scheduled to head to Pueblo for the Colt ‘Bobby Hawk’ Classic on the weekend of January 4th.