Runners’ demise extended

The New Mexico Runners’ comeback fell short Saturday in the Rio Rancho Events Center, where they lost their sixth game in a row, 9-7, to the Colorado Inferno.

The Runners, with one home game left this season, scored five goals in the final quarter, with Mehrshad Ahmadi leading the way with two. New Mexico even tied the game late, but the Inferno scored twice in the final 7:32 to close the game out.

The Runners are in Amarillo Friday and at Wichita Saturday, then return to the Events Center March 18 for a 5:05 p.m. contest – “Scouts Night” — with the Kansas Bandits.

 

Youth hoops tournament at RRHS

Teams entering the March 23-26 tournament at Rio Rancho High School are guaranteed three games.

There will be boys’ and girls’ divisions, in grades 4-9, plus junior varsity and varsity divisions.

The entry fee is $300 per team, with registration taking place at ramtournament.com/

For more information, contact RRHS boys’ coach Wally Salata at [email protected].

The registration deadline is March 18.

 

Bo knows UFC

Former Rio Rancho High School wrestler Bo Nickal defeated veteran Jamie Pickett at UFC 285 in Las Vegas Saturday night, but Nickal – who went on to fame at Penn State as a Big-10 and NCAA mat champion – was surprised to hear there was some fallout.

His “arm triangle submission”  victory has Pickett’s team crying foul., according to bloodyelbow.com.

Pickett is filing an appeal to the Nevada Athletic Commission, accusing Nickal of landing a knee to the groin during the first and only round of the fight. Pickett’s team contends that that Pickett was dealing from the affects of that knee when he was taken down by Nickal and subsequently submitted. Pickett’s team hopes that their appeal will lead to the commission overturning Nickal’s win and making the fight a no contest.

Nickal (4-0) was told about the appeal during his post-fight press conference. He appeared stunned by the information, calling it “weird.”

ESPN said this about Nickal, whose father Jason won four state team titles in as many seasons at RRHS: “The UFC has a future star on its hands with Nickal. There shouldn’t be a whole lot of debate there. Nickal is 4-0 and has finished every single fight in the first round. His wrestling is as good as any other fighter’s wrestling in the UFC.”