Pahrump Valley High School’s wrestling team found success showcasing its different weight classes last weekend.
Hosted by Las Vegas’ Valley High School, the annual Chaparral Invitational tournament brought together more than 500 wrestlers from southern Nevada’s and Utah’s 4A and 5A teams.
Well attended, with zero empty spaces in the venue’s parking lot and side streets, the tournament demonstrated the team’s long-practiced conditioning skills.
After two days of competition, Pahrump finished seventh out of 32 teams in “the team’s biggest tournament of the year,” according to head coach Frank Lopez.
The tournament finish improves the Trojans’ record, as they finished in 11th place the year prior.
“Over the last two weeks, we’ve really started an upward trend,” Lopez said. “Practices were tougher, the kids were working really hard. We’re hitting our stride, which is important because the post-season starts in two weeks.”
Toward the edge of the gymnasium, Assistant Coach Mike Colucci barked encouragement to Trojans senior Oscar Bosket: “Stay up! Face him. Back on your feet! Run him over. Good job!” At a break between rounds, Colucci signaled to the high-school wrestler to breathe, motioning with his arms rising, then lowering slowly. As the tournament played on, Colucci spoke solidly, “We defend and we go.”
Bosket ultimately fell in the semifinal round as he was unable to outmaneuver an opponent from Utah’s Pleasant Grove High School, but his performance earned him fourth place in the 190-pound weight class bracket.
Bosket is having a strong season; the senior has won two tournaments this season at Centennial and Bonanza High Schools.
Pahrump Valley junior Ethan Rouse finished fourth in the 106-pound weight class bracket.
In the girls division, senior Payton Weaver took third place in the 120-pound weight class bracket and senior Tiler Ledford took fifth in the 170-pound weight class bracket.
“As a whole, boys and girls wrestled well,” Lopez said. “With a top 10 finish there is nothing to be ashamed about.”
With four league play matches left, Pahrump will be looking to compete for a championship in the 3A division as they are currently undefeated in league play.
“We’re going to keep that momentum, keep working harder and keep grinding these last three weeks until the it’s time for the state tournament,” Lopez said.