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Vote. Republic’s 2025-26 All-Arizona boys HS wrestling team, coach

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Vote. Republic’s 2025-26 All-Arizona boys HS wrestling team, coach


Here is The Arizona Republic’s 2025-26 All-Arizona Boys High School wrestling team with honorable mentions and Coach of the Year. The 12 All-Arizona players (listed alphabetically) also are nominees for Player of the Year, which will be announced in a later story. They were selected with coaches input and consideration of state title meet performances. The list below notes weight class for each wrestler.

The Republic sports staff will select the top wrestler, but readers can offer their opinion in the poll below, which closes on April 3 at 6 p.m. Print readers can find the poll online with this story at azcentral.com/sports/high-schools.

Republic’s 2025-26 All-Arizona Boys Wrestling Team

Brett Bates, Sahuarita Walden Grove, 126, Sr.

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He was an undefeated (58-0) state champion in Division III. He also won titles at the Flowing Wells Invitational, Mile High Challenge, Marana and Mesa Mountain View duals and the Salpointe Invitational.

Justin Beauvais, Mesa Mountain View, 138, Sr.

Repeated as Division I state champion, going 28-1, with his only setback coming out of state. Nationally ranked. He won his state title match by a technical fall, 20-3.

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Travis Cardenas, Chandler, 165, Sr.

The Arizona State commit won the Division I state championship in his weight class with a technical fall. He gained bonus points in each of his state tournament matches

Jax Finch, Cave Creek Cactus Shadows, 285, Sr.

His only loss was to Division I runner-up and two-time state heavyweight champion Zayne Candelaria of Sunnyside. He defeated Division IV state champion Layne James by a technical fall.

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Joshua Finch-Logan, Phoenix Brophy Prep, 285, Sr.

He went 22-6, but really turned it on at state, pinning two-time state champion Zayne Candelaria of Tucson Sunnyside in the Division I heavyweight state championship match, coming back from the No. 10 seed in the tournament.

Nathaniel Gallardo, Sahuarita, 175, Jr.

He went 59-2, winning the state title after finishing second in 2025 and third in ’24. He scored bonus points in every match throughout the state tournament.

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Marcus Killgore, Sahuarita, 157, So.

He went 57-0, helping his school win a fifth consecutive Division III championship. He was first at the Maran Duals, Mountain View Duals, Mile High Challenge, Temecula Valley Battle for the Belt and the Salpointe Invitational. Was named Outstanding Wrestler at every tournament. He’s a two-time state champion who won by three technical falls and a fall at the AIA state championships.

Julian Macias, Glendale Ironwood, 146, Sr.

He went 38-1 on the season and won by a major decision in the Division II state championship match. He was a three-time state champion.

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Nicolaus Meza, Laveen Cesar Chavez, 144, Sr.

He defeated three-time state champion Julian Macius. Meza won the Division I state title at 144 pounds. He also won the Peoria Inviational title and the Diego Gadea Invitational. His only loss during the season was avenged at state.

Ryder Schulte, Peoria Liberty, 177, So.

He repeated as state champions, going 48-0 on the season and gaining a No. 7 national ranking.

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Jozeph Smith, Tucson Pueblo, 165, Sr.

He repeated as state champion in Division II, going 65-2. He went 198-18 in his career, placing every year in high school. He was fourth as a freshman at state and third as a sophomore. He was a four-time Division II sectional champion.

Jack Thrush, Sunnyside, 108, Fr.

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He won the Division I state championship with a 14-1 decision. He went 38-5 with all of his losses coming against out-of-state opponents.

Honorable mention

Sebastian Serrano, Sahuarita, 132; Trey Kessinger, Campo Verde, 113; Zandon Hopson, Liberty, 190; Jeremy LeBlanc, Liberty, 215;  Trace Nielsen, St. Johns, 192; Reese Crosby, St. Johns, 146; Riley Nollet, Bradshaw Mountain, 108; Gage Palace, Payson, 138; David Elias, Yuma Kofa, 132; Zayne Cadelaria, Sunnyside, 285; Malik Hoskins, Sunnyside, 115; Cannon Farrar, Yuma Gila Ridge, 122; Carson Miles, Liberty, 126; Anthony Lopez, Ironwood, 152; Steven Robles, Canyon View, 159; Christopher Ramirez, Canyon View, 122; Sean Luedy, Arizona College Prep, 192; Andrei Davis-Lopez, Cienega, 285; Jayden Preston, Somerton, 115; Romeo Chavez, Eloy Santa Cruz, 134; Xavier Chavez, Sunnyside, 152; Alejandro De La Rosa, Tucson Flowing Wells, 108.

Coach of the Year

Paul Vasquez, Sahuarita

Paul Vasquez led Sahuarita to a fifth consecutive Division III championship. He is building a dynasty at the smaller division the way Sunnyside started to stack titles among larger schools in the 1980s.

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“This team and group really mesh well together,” Vasquez said. “They push each other hard and expect everyone to carry their weight. They hold each other accountable but still have a lot of fun together.”

He said the five titles have come from four different groups of wrestlers with different personalties.

“We have different teams, different kids every year and each team comes with different challenges and obstacles to conquer in order to get the job done,” Vasquez said. “One of my favorite parts of coaching is trying to figure out how to get the very best out of each kid and getting them to perform their best in February.”

Richard Obert has been covering high school sports since the 1980s for The Arizona Republic. Catch the best high school sports coverage in the state. Sign up for Azcentral Preps Now. And be sure to subscribe to our daily sports newsletters so you don’t miss a thing. To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter:@azc_obert





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Defensive lapse, walks cost Pirates in shutout loss to Arizona

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Defensive lapse, walks cost Pirates in shutout loss to Arizona






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Arizona man accused of kidnapping, sexual assault in case involving Utah teen

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Arizona man accused of kidnapping, sexual assault in case involving Utah teen


Armando Sanchez-Lopez (Courtesy: Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office)

Sheriff’s officials in Maricopa County say a man has been arrested in connection with a case involving a Utah teen who was reported missing in late April.

What we know:

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According to a May 5 statement from MCSO, 30-year-old Armando Sanchez-Lopez was arrested on April 29, after he was seen with the missing teen.

Investigators said the teen left Lehi City, Utah on April 24 in an unknown vehicle.

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“Information provided by a family acquaintance indicated the juvenile may have been in Arizona and possibly being held against her will,” read a portion of the statement.

Dig deeper:

MCSO said it was determined that on the night of April 24, the acquaintance had provided transportation for the juvenile to a home in the area of Dysart Road and Maryland Avenue in Litchfield Park.

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“The juvenile requested to be dropped off a short distance away and proceeded on foot. When the acquaintance attempted to follow, an unidentified adult male confronted him and reportedly brandished a rifle, prompting the acquaintance to leave the area,” read a portion of MCSO’s statement. “In the days following, the acquaintance received messages from the juvenile indicating she was being held against her will and was in need of assistance.”

On April 29, investigators said they received “updated information that the juvenile had returned to a residence in the area and had subsequently left on foot with an adult male toward another nearby address.” They later contacted the teen and the man, who turned out to be Sanchez-Lopez.

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What’s next:

Per MCSO, Sanchez-Lopez has “five prior sexual related accusations involving several victims.” He is accused of sexual assault, sexual conduct with a minor, kidnapping, aggravated assault, custodial interference, and failure to comply with a court order.

Officials say MCSO’s Special Victims detectives are still investigating the case.

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The Source: Information for this article was gathered from a statement released by the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.

Crime and Public SafetyLitchfield ParkNews



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2 Arizona Cardinals losing presumed starting jobs to draft picks

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2 Arizona Cardinals losing presumed starting jobs to draft picks



With the Arizona Cardinals’ top two draft picks, two players likely losing their starting jobs.

The Arizona Cardinals added seven new draft picks last month. With these additions, some players already on the roster could have new roles.

Two players in particular, who were slated to be starters, now likely find themselves in a backup role.

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RB Tyler Allgeier

Allgeier finds himself in a similar situation to when he was in Atlanta. He played second fiddle to Bijan Robinson, one of the best running backs in the NFL. He signed a two-year, $12.25 million deal to join the Cardinals, expecting to start or at least have a prominent role in the offense.

But the Cardinals selected Jeremiyah Love third overall, so Allgeier finds him behind a young, dynamic back again.

OL Isaiah Adams

Adams began last season and ended last season as the starting right guard. He was slated to be the starting right guard again, but the Cardinals used their second-round pick to select guard Chase Bisontis. With the addition of Isaac Seumalo in free agency, both guard spots seem set, sending Adams to the bench.

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.



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