Cimarron-Memorial expected to breeze through regionals

Mike Sims

Friday, Feb. 4, 2005 | 9:44 a.m.

Everyone will be chasing Cimarron-Memorial and Las Vegas at this weekend's regional tournaments for a shot at next week's state title.

"There is no doubt that Cimarron is the odds-on favorite," Bonanza coach Russ Leet said. "We are all battling for second."

Cimarron finished the season 18-2 overall and 5-0 for another Northwest Division title. Its top wrestlers, Chase Pami and Randel Aleman, are ready to defend their state crowns.

"These kids worked hard this season," Cimarron coach Tim Jefferies said. "We have exceptional work ethic and that's what we try and teach."

The Spartans have the top-ranked wrestler in six of the weight classes for the regional tournament.

"We have overcome some obstacles this season by winning tournaments we haven't won in the past," Jefferies said.

Bonanza, Palo Verde and Mojave will be fighting for second behind the Spartans at Friday and Saturday's regional held at Bonanza High school, coaches said.

Palo Verde coach Chris Jefferies said Cimarron is a seasoned team and it's going to be hard to knock them off. Davis said his squad is going to need some help but he likes his chances for second.

Bonanza, which finished first in the Southwest Division, has a pretty good shot at second as well.

"We have a young team," Leet said. "We have to work hard but I think we have a pretty good shot."

Many of the coaches from the Sunset Region consider Las Vegas the favorite to come out of the Sunrise after it finished 18-4 overall and 6-0 for first in the Northeast division. Las Vegas is led by brothers Nick and Mike Ruggiero.

"It's going to be tough to beat them," Rancho coach Chuck Diller said. "We are about the middle of the pack chasing them and Foothill."

Rancho finished 6-1 in the Northeast Division behind Las Vegas. The Rams have had their ups and downs this season, but overcame their difficulties to finish a strong second.

"It was better than I thought it was going to be this season. We have a bunch of good kids who worked for what they got," Diller said. "We lost a few kids due to some problems."

Rancho, led by 135-pound Josh Leet, has a good chance at this weekend's regional tournament to make it through to the state tournament. Besides the Rams, Green Valley and Foothill will try to stop Las Vegas from taking the Sunrise crown.