NOTES: Del Sol wrestler goes to mat for state title

“I still can’t believe it,” Torres-Parra said. “I’m just surprised.”

Torres-Parra became the first wrestler from Del Sol to win a state title when he defeated Juan Ledezma of Churchill County 13-10 on Saturday to capture the Division I-A 182-pound championship at Star of the Desert Arena in Primm.

The junior almost was the first athlete from the school to earn a state title in any sport, but Jazmyn Eubanks beat him to that honor when she took home the Division I-A girls bowling state title in January.

“I didn’t think I was going to make it that far, to be honest. As long as I placed, at least,” Torres-Parra said. “It was a roller coaster of emotions. I was just happy to be there.”

Torres-Parra was a standout youth wrestler but was academically ineligible as a freshman. Last season, Torres-Parra’s father, Cornelio Parra, did not allow him to wrestle so he could improve his grades.

Dragons coach Kendel Chrysler, who took over the program in the middle of the 2014-15 season, heard about Torres-Parra from other Del Sol wrestlers and met him for the first time last spring during offseason workouts.

“As soon as he got in the room, kids were trying to take him down left and right, and they realized this kid’s tough to take down,” Chrysler said.

Torres-Parra admitted he was rusty at the start of his junior season, but he won the Wolves Rumble on Dec. 30 and the Chaparral Invitational on Jan. 23. At the Division I-A Southern Region tournament, Torres-Parra lost 7-1 in the semifinals to Cache Burnside of Virgin Valley before bouncing back to finish third and qualify for the state tournament.

Torres-Parra met Burnside in the state semifinals and, using a different game plan, pulled out a 4-1 decision.

“I’m not going to lie, I was kind of nervous when I had to face him in the semifinals,” Torres-Parra said. “But it was state, and I had to take a positive mindset.”

In the final, Torres-Parra was put on his back by Ledezma in the first period and trailed 5-3, but he controlled the final two periods to earn the victory.

Afterward, Torres-Parra and his father embraced near the edge of the mat. And Del Sol’s Sadie Hawkins dance was halted that night to inform the attendees of Torres-Parra’s achievement.

“It was just a different mindset,” said Torres-Parra, who finished the season with a 35-3 record. “Bigger tournament, so I just put it all out there where it counts.”

Chrysler already has plans to put Torres-Parra’s name and picture on the wall in Del Sol’s wrestling room when he graduates in 2017. Torres-Parra hopes his win inspires the Dragons’ younger wrestlers and said his primary goal is to compete in college.

“I hope this keeps Del Sol wrestling going. I hope the school keeps supporting it,” Torres-Parra said. “Everybody wants to beat me now. I’m just going to keep doing what I’m doing now. I’m going to be stronger, better by next year.”

POLL POSITIONS — Centennial’s girls basketball team moved up one spot to No. 4 in this week’s USA Today Super 25 poll. The defending state champion Bulldogs (29-1) take on Reno in the Division I state semifinals Thursday.

In baseball, Bishop Gorman (No. 23) and Arbor View (No. 50) were included in Perfect Game’s preseason top 50 rankings. Arbor View is led by middle infielder Nick Quintana, who recently was named first-team preseason All-American by Sporting News and second team by Baseball America.

MARK IT EIGHT, DUDE — Green Valley bowler Joe Gerencser took first at the USBC Clark County High School MVP Tournament on Feb. 17 at The Orleans.

Gerencser, who entered the stepladder finals as the top seed with a 265 average, defeated Terrance Rock of Liberty 225-211 to earn a $1,000 scholarship.

Ashlee McKenna of Desert Oasis beat top seed Leah Glazer of Bishop Gorman 187-143 to win the girls tournament.

Contact reporter David Schoen at dschoen@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5203. Follow him on Twitter: @DavidSchoenLVRJ