Aztec Lady Tigers wrestler Makayla Munoz is the Daily Times January athlete of the month

Matt Hollinshead, mhollinshead@daily-times.com

FARMINGTON — Makayla Munoz showcased where she currently stands among New Mexico’s girls wrestling elites: still unbeaten after taking down some of the toughest foes just this past Friday.

The Aztec Lady Tigers wrestler, who was named the Daily Times athlete of the month for January, logged two signature wins to win the 126-pound division title during the second annual regular-season New Mexico girls wrestling tournament.

Munoz handed Carlsbad’s Cady Box her first loss of the season in the 126-pound division semifinals, pinning her 25 seconds into the third period. Munoz then overpowered Gallup’s Neveah Young in the finals enroute to a 12-3 major decision, and the title.

Box was a 2019 state runner-up, while Young was a 2019 state champion.

Munoz also won individual titles at the Lady Pinto Invitational in Moriarty and the Doc Wright Invitational in Winslow, Arizona.

MORE:Makayla Munoz versus Cady Box: a highly-anticipated girls wrestling bout

Munoz is now 26-0 this season, and those two victories helped elevate her status as one of the best in 126-pound division right now.

Aztec's Makayla Munoz, seen here during the second annual New Mexico girls wrestling tournament 126-pound championship match on Friday, Jan. 24, 2020 at Lillywhite Gym in Aztec, was named the Daily Times athlete of the month for January.

Honorable mentions

Farmington wrestlersCirrail Allison andZack Small

Cirrail Allison, wrestling in the 170-pound division, and Zack Small, wrestling in the 182-pound division, both remain undefeated on the mat at a combined 71-0 this season.

Allison’s key individual victories include beating Carlsbad’s Jacob Fuentes for the Conflict at Cleveland title, followed by a win over Volcano Vista’s Jeremiah Perry in the Joe Vivian Classic finals.

Support local journalism with a digital subscription: http://bit.ly/2I6TU0e

Small’s key individual wins include Carlsbad’s Trystan Rogers in the Conflict at Cleveland semifinals and the Joe Vivian Classic finals, plus Santa Fe’s Elijah Martinez in the Joe Vivian Classic quarterfinals.

Farmington's Zack Small, seen her during the District 2-5A wrestling tri-duals on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020 at PVHS, won individual titles this month at both the Conflict at Cleveland at the Joe Vivian Classic.

Aztec wrestler Bryson Valdez

Bryson Valdez remains undefeated at 26-0, winning individual titles at both the Rocky Mountain Invitational in Pagosa Springs, Colorado and at the Doc Wright Invitational.

MORE:San Juan County wrestlers bring home tournament championship hardware

Farmington girls basketball’s Kiiyani Anitielu

Lady Scorpions point guard Kiiyani Anitielu is lighting up the scoreboard against tough competition.

Anitielu’s key January outings include a 25-point night against Kirtland Central, followed by a 23-point game against Tohatchi. Anitielu overcame three first-half fouls, giving FHS a late spark with 12 fourth-quarter points.

Matt Hollinshead covers sports for the Daily Times. He can be reached at 505-564-4577 and on Twitter at @MattH_717.

View Comments