Yoe wrestlers making strides as they head to Regionals

Submitted by Cameron1 on

The Yoe wrestling team had a banner day at the district meet last week in a sport that is growing in popularity in Cameron.

All seven Yoe wrestlers qualified for Regionals this week in a tough 14-team 5A district.

Judith Llanas finished second in her division. Johnvanique Porter was fourth, making this her third trip to Regionals. Patience Adcock stunned the Cameron crowd with a great last match to finish third.

Seth Perez and Domanique Borgas were the top finishers for the boys.

Wrestling in the 138-pound class Perez met some of last year’s state qualifiers but managed a strong third place finish. 

Domanique Borgas keeps getting better and also finished third for a second trip to Regionals. 

Payton Aguillon was fourth and Dylan Smith also finished fourth and both will advance to Regionals.

Yoe Wrestling Coach Dale Keen said the program started just five seasons ago and has seen amazing success in those years. There are only five schools Cameron’s size that have wrestling programs in the entire state of Texas.

Keen said he is looking for a bright future for the sport in Cameron.

“We have done well as we have gained experience,” Keen said. “We had two guys who won in the rookie division at Bryan earlier this year and they did really well.”

Keen said girl’s participation in the sport has increased 300 percent over the last three years.

Keen said he is trying hard to build something in Cameron and is really enjoying coaching these athletes.

“Wrestling is really a young sport in Texas,” Keen said. “It only started in Texas in 1998 so we aren’t on par with some other northern states. But our kids can compete on any level.”

Keen said it has been an easy transition to bring wrestling in to Cameron due to the good off-season and weight-lifting programs already in place.

“All I have really had to do is work on skills with them,” he said. “It is really fortunate that we have that and the facilities they have allowed us here.”

The wrestlers will compete at Regionals on Feb. 15 and 16 in Pflugerville.