Storm wrestling sweeps Rams; squads prep for Districts

RIO RANCHO - It was a cross-town clash on the mats on Wednesday evening, and in this installment of the rivalry, the Storm left no doubt.

Cleveland wrestling beat Rio Rancho in both the boys and girls varsity matchups in the midweek dual between the two city schools. The Storm boys won 54-12, while the girls took the evening 60-17 for a clean sweep.

For the boys, it would actually be the Rams who would thrive in the lower divisions, with big wins coming from RRHS’s Jaxon Moralez and Mohammad Farah, taking the 106 and 113 matchups.

But that run would come to a halt in what was arguably the most anticipated matchup between the two city schools: Cleveland’s Roman Luttrell and Rio’s Josiah Neri facing off in the 120 matchup. Two of the City of Vision’s best, in the midst of big individual seasons, were stepping into the circle against one another.

“He’s gotten big,” Luttrell said about Neri. “He was going for 126 but came down to try and take me out, which is respectable.”

On top of admiration for one another, the two have a history on the mats, including a state championship matchup last season. Luttrell would take that matchup last February, and he would do the same here almost a year later, in what was a competitive 6-3 decision victory for the Utah Valley commit.

“Kid (Neri) was super tough,” Luttrell said. “I just came off a win in California last weekend and was a bit banged up from that. It was tough, but I became better from it. I expect to wrestle him a few more times this season and will definitely have a game plan.”

Luttrell’s main-event caliber victory would pave the way for Cleveland dominance, with the Storm taking 10 of the 11 matches throughout the 126 to 285 divisions.

It was home cooking for the electric blue, with eight of their victories coming via fall/total fall.

On the girls' side, they brought the thunder to the Thunderdome as well. Ten of the 12 matchups went to the Storm, taking eight via fall and two by forfeit.

For Rio, freshman Sophia Hennigh continued her first-year tear. Coming off a first-place finish at the Holy Family Invite in Colorado, Hennigh took down Cleveland’s Julie Thurgood via total fall 15-0 in the 110 division. 

Rams junior Victoria Perea took a victory against Eva Reeves, an impressive feat considering she was on double duty, wrestling in two matches (140 and 145) on the night.

Cleveland’s Heaven Guevara tallied another big showing with a 19-4 victory in the 135 division, moving her record on the season to 24-1.

While these two foes have competed at the same invites and tourneys, this was the first true meeting between the schools, with more to come.

This Saturday, Cleveland and Rio Rancho will compete in the same field once again in the 2026 District duals at Rio Rancho High School.

“I am proud of this team,” Luttrell said. “I hope we can continue this momentum to state and finish strong.”