Douglas High School wrestler Felipe Linares went 2-2 at the 2011-2012 Division III state wrestling tournament which was held in Prescott this past weekend.

Douglas High School wrestler Felipe Linares, shown above in action earlier this season, went 2-2 at the state tournament this past weekend in Prescott. Linares finishes the year 37-6 and has the single season record of 98 takedowns breaking the old record of 89. Bruce Whetten/Douglas Dispatch

Linares, who finishes the year with a 37-6 record, just missed out on placing in the top six in his 152-pound weight class. He also has the school record for takedowns of 98 in a single season breaking the old record of 89 set by David Saspe.

Thunderbird won the state title finishing with 121 points. Cottonwood Mingus was second with 105 and Amphi and Blue Ridge tied for third with 103.

Douglas finished 35th along with Chinle and Coronado all finishing with just four points. Over 50 teams were represented at the state meet.

Linares entered the state meet ranked third in his class. He was upset 4-1 by 14th seed Bradley Syth of Blue Ridge in the first round. He then dropped down to the consolation bracket where he pinned Alex Gutscher of Greenway in 3:42. He then won a 5-0 decision over Michael Regaldo of Verado. Linares then fell to eighth seeded Dominic Romero of Show Low 4-2. Romero would go on to finish fifth in the class.

Linares qualified for state having finished second at sectionals finishing with a 3-1 record.

Linares pinned David Verdin of Sahuarita in 3:28 in his first round match, won by technical fall over Salpointe’s Carlos Gonzalez in the second round and then took a 3-1 win over Prescott Conway of Williams Field in the semifinals. In the finals Linares fell to Coolidge’s Jamir Moore 6-5.

Douglas’ Wrestling Coach Richard Ross said he is proud of Linares and happy with his effort at state.

“He went up against some very good wrestlers,” he said. “Felipe’s spirit’s are high. He did a great job for us not only at state but also all season.”

At sectionals which was held Feb. 3-4 in Tucson the Bulldogs finished 15th out of 17 teams. Campo Verde was first and Amphi third. Coach Ross said he was not sure who came in second.

Christian Ross, wrestling at 106 for Douglas at sectionals went 1-2.

Rogelio Martinez at 113, was 0-2 at the meet as was Joseph Fraijo at 126.

Jose Moreno, wrestling at 132, also went 0-2.

Jose Salinas at 145 was 2-2 on the meet. He lost his first round match to Mark Lopez of Rio Rico who went on to win the state title finishing the year 39-3.

Brandon Moreno was also 0-2 at 160, Joseph Alvarez was 1-2 at 170 and Luis Maytorena was 2-2 at 182.

Heavyweight Robert Young was 0-2.

Coach Ross said all in all it was a good season and he had a lot of young kids that are anxious to get back on the mat and start improving for next year.

The coach is planning on having open gym Monday through Thursday starting in March. He is also looking at some camps for those that are interested.

Coach Ross is planning on honoring his wrestlers March 1 at their year end banquet.