The Trojans wrestling team finished the season undefeated in league and Sunset League Champions for the third consecutive time. Pahrump finished up their last match of the season by defeating Clark with 10 pins at home on Friday night to win 64-14. During the night, Clark won only three individual matches and had two pins and one match by decision.
The Trojans grapplers had beaten Western soundly last Wednesday too by a score of 52-20. It was an evening of rousing action and much cheering for the Trojan fans.
The varsity Pahrump grapplers found four victories and four unfortunate losses at Western. Varsity won their other wins by forfeits.
The JV Trojans beat their Western opponents with one pin, one decision and one technical fall, and by forfeits.
Trojans Coach Rieger said after Clark that the number one priority for the evening was to wrestle and win. His boys did that and more.
“The seniors had been here so long,” Rieger said. “It was a fun night because Clark is a solid team. Clark is number three in the Division.”
One of the highlights of the night for Rieger was watching Jeremy Coates.
“At 220 pounds, this kid had beaten Jeremy earlier in the year,” he said. “He is a great kid and good wrestler. Jeremy capitalized on a mistake and that’s part of wrestling. Jeremy slipped out of a nice cradle and caught his opponent on his back and attacked.”
The coach also liked Sam Tucsnak’s toughness.
“Sam Tucsnak got caught in the headlock and just battled back and was pretty much in control of that match,” he said.
Rieger said his boys will be ready for the upcoming Division I-A Southern Championships on Friday and Saturday, the results will determine who will go to the state meet on February 13-14 at the Winnemucca Events Center. Action starts at Boulder City High School at 4 p.m.
“Over the years I learned that you don’t want to go stale and you don’t want to back off,” Rieger said. “Our practices will be a little shorter and a little more intense. We don’t need to teach, these boys know what they are doing.”
According to the coach, Abraham Preciado at 195 pounds will be an extra at the regional meet. Brandon Dirgle will also go at 220 pounds. The last extra will be Kevin Daffer at 145 pounds.
“If Preciado can come out with some wins he can be a spoiler, knocking people out,” he said. “Brandon Dirgle is a solid senior at 220 pounds. Daffer is doing really well and he will be a leader next year.”
Wrestling Summary for Clark
and Western
Senior Joseph Zarabozo at 106 pounds lost to his Western opponent by an unfortunate pin. He beat his Clark opponent by pin in 1:04. Zarabozo was determined to win, so much so he actually threw his opponent like a rag doll to the ground. His record is now 15-10.
Sophomore Nathan Trudeau at 113 pounds lost his Western match by disqualification and also dropped his Clark match too. His season record stands at 4-13.
Junior Gino Gusman at 120 pounds pinned his Western opponent in 37 seconds. Against Clark he also won by pin. Gusman’s season record stands at 18-3.
Senior Antonio Sandoval at 126 pounds pinned his Western opponent in 1:38. Against Clark he also won by pin in the second round. His season record stands at 17-5.
Senior Nick Nelson at 132 pounds lost by technical fall to a very tough Lopez of Western. Lopez, along with Nelson, went to state in the last season. He pinned his Clark opponent in the first round. Nelson’s season record stands at 9-5.
Senior Levi Gundacker at 138 pounds beat his Western opponent with a decision of 6-0, after a takedown during each round. Against Clark he also won by pin in the second round. Gundacker’s season record stands at 16-7.
Senior Sam Brophy at 145 pounds beat his tough Western opponent with a decision of 4-3. He won by pin against Clark in the second round. His season record stands at a stellar 19-2.
Senior John Clark at 152 pounds lost to his Western opponent by 10-8 in three full rounds and three overtime rounds. He lost against Clark by a 16 to 7 decision. Clark’s season record stands at 7-10.
Senior Anthony Vega at 160 pounds beat his Western opponent by forfeit. He lost by pin to his Clark opponent. Vega’s season record stands at 4-5.
Senior Sam Tucsnak at 170 pounds won by forfeit. He won his Clark match by decision, 13-9. Tucsnak’s season record stands at 22-6.
Senior John Corrow at 182 pounds won his Western match by forfeit. He beat his Clark opponent by pin. Corrow’s season record stands at 21-5.
Senior Jax Clayton at 195 pounds won by forfeit. Against Clark he pinned his man at the end of the second round. Jax’s season record stands at 22-3. He said afterwards that he had no problem taking his man. “I messed up in the beginning and I didn’t get to do exactly what I wanted to do, but I didn’t get disheartened at all,” Jax said. “I was doing what I wanted to do, minus that mistake. Once I got in the top position, I knew I was going to take him down.”
Senior Jeremy Coates at 220 pounds won by forfeit. He also pinned the Clark wrestler with just 13 seconds left in the second round. Coates’ season record stands at 21-5.
Senior Jace Clayton at 285 pounds won by forfeit. He also pinned his Clark man with just 35 seconds to go in the first round. Jace’s season record stands at 20-6.