Kirtland Central Junior Chance Aspaas Notches 100th Win, Eyes State Title

Chance Aspaas reached a milestone earlier this month when he recorded his 100th career victory on the mat at the Conflict at Cleveland tournament, finishing fifth among 64 wrestlers in the 175-lb. weight class. The accomplishment cements Aspaas as one of San Juan County’s top prep wrestlers and sets a clear trajectory toward a run at the New Mexico state title.

Aspaas entered the season with momentum from last spring’s New Mexico Activities Association Class 4A championships, where he advanced to the quarterfinals, then rebounded through consolation rounds to finish fourth after a loss to Belen’s Damian Gomez. This year Aspaas has compiled a 23-2 record, including a title at the Rocky Mountain Invitational at Pagosa Springs High School where Aspaas beat Durango’s Jacob Belt 16-6 by majority decision.

Kirtland Central head coach Mike Hathcock highlighted Aspaas’s consistency and work ethic. “One thing I love about him is that he never stops wrestling,” Hathcock said. Hathcock also noted Aspaas’s long tenure on the varsity squad. “Chance has wrestled varsity for me since his eighth grade season,” Hathcock said. “Physically he is a great athlete, but his mental determination sets him apart.”

Aspaas’s 100th win and season-long success matter beyond individual accolades. Kirtland Central’s program gains visibility within the region, which can increase attendance at duals and invitationals and sharpen local interest in youth wrestling development. Aspaas’s dual-sport background as a premier contributor to the Kirtland Central football team last fall also reinforces the school’s broader athletic profile, potentially influencing offseason training, coaching focus, and community support for Bronco athletics.

The immediate competitive calendar had Aspaas slated to compete at the Demon Duals hosted by Santa Fe High School this weekend. Performance in upcoming invitationals and duals will influence seeding and momentum heading into district meets and the state tournament, where previous state placings and head-to-head results matter for brackets.

For San Juan County residents who follow high school sports, Aspaas’s run offers a focal point for school pride and youth participation. Continued success could spur higher turnout at home matches and inspire younger wrestlers at community programs and middle schools. The coming weeks will show whether Chance Aspaas can convert a landmark 100th win into a state championship push, and whether Kirtland Central can leverage that run into sustained program growth.