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Home / Sports News / Wrestling program at Santa Fe High remains in good hands as Demon graduate Mark Hussey takes over for Stephen Burns, who resigned after three stellar seasons as head coach

Wrestling program at Santa Fe High remains in good hands as Demon graduate Mark Hussey takes over for Stephen Burns, who resigned after three stellar seasons as head coach

By Arnie Leshin 
Arnie Leshin

Fortunately Mark Hussey stepped in as the new head wrestling coach at Santa Fe High.

He takes over after Stephen Burns resigned for personal reasons, and in the four years since he took over that role (three as head coach), Burns turned the program into one with state champions, quality rosters with numbers, and out-of-state trips for competition and fun.

Thus, it’s a neat situation for Hussey. He has a good returning group headed by seniors Adam Pena and Sammy Martinez, he has a roster comprised of 17 talented grapplers, and what do you know, the Demons depart Friday for a invitational meet in Grand Junction, Colo.

“I’ve very excited about this, Hussey said, “We’ve got a good crew of wrestlers, a staff of knowledgeable assistants, and prepared for a good season.”

Hussey knows the sport well. He performed on at mats at both Brandon High in Florida, and at Santa Fe High, where he graduated in 1988.

“I had a real good senior year at Santa Fe,” he said. “I won my first 33 before losing twice at state. At Brandon, I was a part of the state’s most storied program. I believe they won state about 21 straight times, and no one comes near all the state championships they have won.”

Prior to his senior season, Hussey moved back to Santa Fe, and now gets to coach at his alma mater. His assistants includeformer Demon wrestlers Alex and Jason Tapia, and Alex George. Alex Tapia won state two times, his older brother, Jason, won three times, and George was the team’s No. 1 grappler his senior year.

Under Burns last season, Santa Fe High qualified an even dozen for the state 6A championships, missing out only in the 138 and 220 weights. Husseyreturns seven, and that includes senior Sammy Martinez, who is back on the mats after playing on the football team this past campaign. He was state champion as a sophomore after placing fourth as a freshman. He wrestled

than at 132 pounds and Hussey has moved him up to 152. In his only year on the football team, Martinez was the No. 1 running back and quite versatile.

Said Burns last season about Sammy: “He shows up every day for practice, has a good work ethic, is a great leader, has a great attitude, and good grades.”

Adam Pena is also a senior and he came up through the ranks with Sammy Martinez, but injuries kept him sidelined most of last season, although he did place fifth at state in the 120 weight, and went 24-8. These two are no doubt the veterans on the team. Last season Martinez, freshman Miguel Padilla, sophomore Issac Beltran, and senior Isaiah Martinez were also first at districts.

And Isaiah went on to win state at 170 pounds and put together a 32-5 record. Also at state, Beltran (29-5) lost in the 120 final, 6-5, to Issac Garcia of Albuquerque Manzano, and Miguel Padilla (37-9) in the 113 final to defending champion Tristan Mascarena, 10-4, of Rio Rancho Cleveland.

Also back is sophomore Abran Mendiola, sophomore Jaden Schliening, senior Juan Lovato, sophomore Izaak Martinez, and senior Isaiah Vargas, and junior Alvin Sosa, who also qualified for state.

Hussey has nothing but praise for all of them, and that includes 8th grader Jeremiah Padilla, sophomore Angelo Padilla’s brother, who will wrestle at 106, as well as newcomers Moya Cipwarino, sophomore Martel Moya (145), and sophomore Deandi Williams, who Hussey has penciled in at 220. He has Angelo Padilla at the 126 weight.

“We’ve got several guys who you can consider being up or down in weight,” Hussey said. One of them is sophomore Jeremiah Salazar, who could go at 145 or at 126, and junior (Alvin) Sosa also could be up or down, and he’s at 182 now.”

Hussey can’t forget present junior varsity members, senior Antonio Ortega (145) and sophomore Zion Sandoval (190), who can be called up to the varsity if needed.

As for the fun of traveling to compete out-of-state, Grand Junction is 250 miles west of Denver. Burns said it was an adventure for the team, some of whom never rode this far or had been in Colorado.

And apparently the Demons are in good hands again.

NOTES: Javier Posa also won state three times while at Santa Fe High, and that was in 1988, 1989, and 1990. Jason Tapia’s three years were 1996, 1997 and 1998

The state wrestling championship will be held Feb. 22-23, at the Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho, and will again be sponsored by the New Mexico National Guard. Tickets are $10.00, for students k-12 senior citizens 65 and military $5.00, and $15.00 for a day pass that allows reentry/

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