FARMINGTON – The Farmington High School wrestling program will have a new coach when the team takes to the mat this winter.
Jaime Morales, a longtime assistant coach for the Scorpions and a head wrestling coach at Piedra Vista High School, has been chosen to lead the team this season. Morales replaces John Mason, who chose to step down from his position as head coach at the conclusion of last season.
“I'm thrilled to join the Scorpion wrestling team and become a part of this wonderful family,” Morales said. “I'm eager for an exciting season ahead, where we'll work together to elevate the skill level and competitiveness of our teams and student-athletes. I'm grateful for this opportunity.”
Morales, who serves as the chairperson for Four Corners Youth Wrestling as well as the Badlands Wrestling Club, also has previous coaching experience at Heights, Hermosa and Mesa View Middle Schools.
Being a success as a coach at any level requires not only having the ability to guide athletes to greatness, but also having the student athletes who have learned to embrace the culture of the program.
“Getting them to buy in to the program and learning to communicate with the kids is the biggest thing,” Morales said. “Being able to relate to the kids is crucial and being able to communicate that plan and being open with them goes a long way.”
Morales has been a part of the coaching staff for Farmington as they achieved enormous success, winning the Class 5A state title in 2021 and 2022 before finishing sixth in the most recent state championship meet this year at the Rio Rancho Events Center.
The recent Scorpions teams were headlined on the mat by Ivan Smith, who won back-to-back state titles at the 172-pound weight class and was named top Class 5A wrestler last season. Smith finished his senior season with a record of 43 wins with only one loss, culminating with a win over Tomas Herrera of Gadsden at the state championships.
Morales is hoping the success of Smith, who will be continuing his wrestling career at New Mexico Highlands University, will carry over to his returning roster.
“Certainly when you have such a good example of success, not only on the mat but in the classroom, you hope his achievements will carry over,” Morales said. “(Smith) wasn’t only an exceptional athlete but he excelled in the classroom as well. He’s exactly the kind of role model you hope to have on your team, and we’re hoping his success will carry over to our team this season.”
Morales also will be in charge of the Scorpions girls wrestling program, which is coming off a fourth-place performance in last spring’s NMAA state tournament.
“We’ve got a great bunch of girls coming up the program this year,” Morales said. “The future of girls wrestling in this state has been right here, and we’ve got some talented wrestlers ready to step up. We’re just on the brink of getting to the next level.”
