Trojans give freshmen much needed experience

The Trojans wrestling team was at the Spring Valley Duals at Spring Valley High School in Las Vegas on Saturday where they had to wrestle five teams in one day. Unlike last year where the Trojans went 4-1, this year was a different story and Pahrump went 2-3.

Trojans wrestling coach Craig Rieger was still pleased with his team's performance.

"I really don't get frustrated with having so many freshmen," he said. "I get more frustrated with the upperclassmen because they know better.The bigger schools all complimented us on last year's championship and then they enjoyed beating us because we beat them last year."

The following is how the Trojans scored: Pahrump 39, Liberty 40; Pahrump 18, Las Vegas 52; Pahrump 30, Palo Verde 51; Pahrump 78, Sierra Vista 6; Pahrump 63, Del Sol 16.

Rieger said the only problem with having freshmen wrestle on the team is they are not consistent with their grades and often become ineligible to wrestle.

"They don't know how to discipline themselves on their assignments so I anticipate struggling with eligibility," the coach said.

The coach said senior Kevin Daffer (152) was his wrestler of the week. He went 5-1 this week after going 2-2 his first time out.

The team has two seniors out with injuries, Antonio Sandoval and Gino Gusman. According to Rieger, both wrestlers will return to the lineup after the Christmas break.

"I think he has worked harder since last time and that he is taking it more seriously," Rieger said.

He also praised sophomore Dustin Rily (145) and senior Billy Carter for working so hard. They both went 4-1.

"Rily he just works so hard at his weight and just can beat everyone in the room (PV wrestling room) and Carter can move. Carter is lean, works hard and is very coachable. I like Carter because he really wants to learn and is a pleasant surprise. This is his first year wrestling."

How they wrestled: Freshman Isai Gomez (106) 1-3, freshman Brayden Williams (113) 3-2, freshman Steven Tedford (120) 2-4, freshman Tristan Maughan (126) 3-3, freshman Kyler Adams (132) 1-4, junior Drew Walker (138) 2-3, sophomore Dustin Rily (145) 4-1, senior Nick Iwinski (152) 4-2, senior Kevin Daffer (160) 5-1, junior Garrett Monje (170) 4-2, sophomore David Diaz (182) 3-2, sophomore Jeremy Albertson (195) 2-3, senior Billy Carter (220) 4-1, freshman Brandon Bunker (285) 3-2.

-Contact sports editor Vern Hee at vhee@pvtimes.com