Carson wrestling tops Galena

Nevada Appeal Staff Report

The Carson High School wrestling team tuned up for next week's showdown with rival Fallon by taking a 56-20 victory over Galena in a Sierra League dual Wednesday at Galena High School.

The Senators improved to 3-0 in league and 7-1 overall.

"We looked good tonight," said Carson head coach Tim McCarthy. "It's good to get another conference win. We're looking forward to next week."

Carson got 24 points on four pins by Austin Brown, Junior Valladares, Luke Carter and Justin Barlow. Just as important, the Senators got a boost from 125-pounder Nick Schlager, who had been out since suffering a broken finger in the Capital City Duals on Dec. 6.

Schlager, a junior, took a 4-0 win over Michael Wilcoxson, who recently made it to the second day of the prestigious Sierra Nevada Classic.

"(Wilcoxson) is one tough kid," McCarthy said. "(Schlager) definitely looked rusty. But still, after a month off, he did a good job."

As did Brown, who pinned Jack Berquist at 1 minute, 12 seconds in a 112-pound meeting.

Joining Brown in early victories was Valladares, who pinned Stephen Lancaster in a 160-pound contest, Carter, who pinned Christopher Harvey at 171 pounds, and the 215-pound Barlow, who pinned Joe Delliguada.

"All the guys looked good," McCarthy said.

Junior Ricky Ugarte dropped a narrow 8-7 decision to Galena's Jake Gunzel in a 119-pound matchup.

"Gunzel's solid," McCarthy said. "It's the type of match that Ricky's got to win to make it to state this year. He wasn't feeling 100 percent today, but a lot of times in wrestling you're not feeling 100 percent."

All the Senators are hoping to be in top form against Fallon when the teams meet on Carson Senior Night on Saturday at Morse Burley Gymnasium.

"Fallon graduated 11 seniors," McCarthy said. "They're rebuilding this year. They have the top wrestler in the state " regardless of weight " at 160 pounds in Trent de Braga."

McCarthy said Valladares dropped a 12-4 decision to de Braga in the Douglas Invitational, but he's ready to go again.

"Oh yeah, Junior won't back down from that challenge," McCarthy said.

The Fallon Dual, which includes the junior varsity squad, begins at 5:30 p.m.