I-A REGION: Boulder City, Pahrump Valley share slim first-day lead

Boulder City and Pahrump Valley took different paths to a share of the lead on the first day of the Division I-A Southern Region wrestling tournament Friday at Mojave.

The Eagles relied on their senior experience, led by 2012 state champions Clinton Garvin and Brandon Foster. Meanwhile, two underclassmen carried the Trojans to the top of the standings.
Both teams have 99 points, two more than Virgin Valley. Desert Pines has 70½.

Both teams’ coaches — Boulder City’s Kevin Ruth and Pahrump Valley’s Chris Rieger — know today’s semifinals will be pivotal.

“The semifinals are indeed the money round,” Rieger said. “Every point will be crucial, since the top three teams are separated by just two points. We have to keep fighting, it’s that simple.”

The Trojans got a boost by sophomore Johnathan Corrow, who won twice by pins at 182 pounds. He will face Mojave’s Keeron White in the semifinals.

Rieger also was impressed by sophomore 106-pounder Aaron Alcaraz, who defeated Desert Pines’ Angel Rocha to reach the semifinals.

Boulder City used its big-match experience to gain a share of the lead.

“We knew we had a chance to be in the top three,” Ruth said. “We wanted a pair of other kids to do better, but overall we’re pleased with the first day. Yes, points will be hard to come by on Saturday.”

Leading the way for the Eagles were Garvin and Foster. Garvin (120 pounds) will wrestle Chaparral’s Miguel Guerra in the semifinals, and Foster (195) takes on Michael Hervis of Clark.

Ruth also was happy with the performance of Patrick Garvin at 138 and Jeremiah Rodriguez at 145.