STATE WRESTLING: Green Valley puts five into semifinals, holds narrow lead

WINNEMUCCA — Green Valley’s quest to win a fourth straight state wrestling title got off to a solid start on the first day of the Division I tournament Friday.

The Gators placed five wrestlers into the semifinals and lead Foothill 36-34. Centennial is third with 31½, followed by Shadow Ridge (25) and Palo Verde (24).

“Tomorrow is a big day, and we had some ups and downs,” Green Valley coach Jon Ferry said. “That happens in every tournament. You expect some guys to win and some will fall short, which happened on a couple different occasions for us.”

Green Valley, the Sunrise Region champion, will be represented in the semifinals by Jesse Gabriel (120 pounds), Sean Cannon (132), Nicholas Klanian (138), Adrian Ojeda (145) and Giullian Nakamatsu (152). Klanian was the only Gator to win by pin.

“The semifinals will be crucial,” Ferry said. “The guys that lost need to come through the consolation bracket, and they will be motivated. The tournament is going to be decided in those wrestle-back matches. This a new year and a new team, and these guys have to make a name for themselves.”

Foothill sends six of its seven wrestlers into the semifinals: Wyatt English (106), Damian Ortega (138), Bobby Merritt (170), Angel Camacho (182), Josh Ozuna (220) and R.J. Banos (285). Ozuna pinned Shadow Ridge’s Tyler Carter, and Banos won by fall over Shadow Ridge’s Jarritt Leonard.

Centennial has three semifinalists. At 113, Ryan Pierce pinned Valley’s Isaias Urbina in 54 seconds, Hunter Brown won 15-0 over Foothill’s C.J. Atkerson at 195, and Roger Alvarado defeated Green Valley’s Jordan McAfee 7-4 at 220.

Las Vegas’ Antomio Saldate (106) and Bishop Gorman’s Santi Bent (120) reached the semifinals. Liberty’s Jaylon Bates (126) cruised to a 10-0 win in the quarterfinals, and Bishop Gorman’s Mason Campbell (126) also won.

Liberty’s Storm Roper and Palo Verde’s Joshua Price won at 152 to reach the semifinals, and Shadow Ridge’s John Scarpati (182) also advanced.

In Division I-A, Lowry has a 33-27 lead over Pahrump Valley. Spring Creek is third with 23 points, followed by Virgin Valley (19½) and Churchill County (17).

Lowry qualified eight wrestlers for the semifinals, led by 182-pounder Beau Billingsley, who is seeking his fourth state championship.

Pahrump Valley has seven semifinalists, including Abraham Preciado and Jaxon Clayton at 195. Preciado is a nonscoring wrestler. Gino Gusman (120), Sam Brophy (145), Jon Corrow (182), Jeremy Coates (220) and Jace Clayton (285) also reach the semifinals.

Battle Mountain leads the Division III/IV standings with 46 points. Yerington is second with 31, followed by Laughlin (28), Lincoln County (23) and Pershing County (23).

Wrestling in all three divisions continues at 9 a.m. today.