National J/Os rundown
By Enrique Vasquez, Las Cruces PAL
This past weekend was a victorious week for New Mexico at the JO Nationals at Camp Lejeune, N.C. Boxers from New Mexico were not only very poised but prepared to fight, well-behaved and respectful the entire week. The biggest problem was dealing with the humidity.
The first matches were Tuesday morning, during which Ayanna Vasquez defeated Victoria Quilantan of Texas, 18-1, and Jonathan (Pizza) Abeyta decisioned Michael Roak, of Ohio (tie breaker).
On Wednesday’s preliminary rounds, Joshua Rodriguez dec. Andrian Jimenez, of Bay City, Tex., 16-10.
On Thursday’s semi-finals, Angelica Sanchez dec. Guadalupe Pinzon, of Escondido, Calif.. 12-8; Ayanna Vasquez dec. Bryonna Sumandig of Tacoma Wash. 18-2; and Ariana Garcia dec. Dayanie Carencro, of La., 15-8 – this was the fight that proved that Ariana could fight. She caught the girl with 5 straight right hands in the 3rd round and we were tied on point going into round.
In a heart breaker bout semi final round, Joshua Rodriguez was stopped by Angel Bojado of Los Angeles in the third round. Angel is “Panchito” Bojado’s little brother, a kid with well over 150 fights. Josh showed a that he has a ton of courage and a huge will to fight. Being dropped twice, he got back up, shook it off and wanted to continue but knowing Bojado’s experience and talent, the referee did the right and safe thing by stopping the contest. After the fight, Bojado was very respectful; he came to me to let me know that it had been a long while that he had been hit as hard as Josh hit him. For a kid with such little experience, Josh held his own and gained a lot of respect.
In a match of 2 bulls going at it, Jonathan (Pizza) Abeyta lost a decision to Tyler Howard of Crossville, Tenn.3-0. I felt we won this fight; his punch count was much higher than that of Tyler’s but we just couldn’t get the points on the computer. Again, it was a bout that gained “Pizza” a ton of respect.
At Friday’s championship rounds:
At 106, Angelica Sanchez decisioned Maria Arreola, of Freeport Tx. 30-13; and Ayanna Vasquez dec. Kimberly Nolasco (defending 144 lbs champion 2009) 2-1. In what I felt was the biggest heartbreaker, was Ariana Garcia losing to Rianna Rios from Alice, Texas. A tied score of 13-13 sent the bout to the punch count and Garcia lost the tie breaker to a punch count of 29-25.
Overall, all the kids did a great job. Ayanna was awarded the ‘Oustanding Female Boxer’ award and our female boxers were awarded ‘Best Female Champions’ award.
Total medal count for Region 9: 2 gold medals, 5 silver medals and two bronze.
Personally, it was an honor to work with all this kids at the Nationals. They did an exceptional job at representing New Mexico, both, in and out of the ring. The girls were even praised by Debbie Holms, the tournament coordinator, in a private meeting with them. She was very impressed with their respect and dedication.
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