Forfeits key to Carson wrestling team's win in Fallon

FALLON - Carson High's wrestling team kept its undefeated season intact with a 48-23 dual match win over Fallon on Wednesday.

The Senators (4-0 Sierra League, 13-0 overall), aided by four forfeit wins, rallied behind Ty Welch (130 pounds), Nick Schlager (135), Jordan Luhrs (140) and Nicolas Garcia (145).

The Greenwave won the first three matches, all by decision, before Welch got Carson on the board.

"I guess overall we did OK," said Carson head coach Tim McCarthy said. "We looked bad in some areas, and other kids showed a lot of heart."

Welch scored an 11-7 win over Hunter Mori and Schlager pinned Chandler Knight with one second left in the second period to start the comeback. Luhrs then pinned Kevin O'Brien at 1:33 of the first period.

Garcia may have had the match of the night against Fallon's Charlie Heck. Heck led 2-0 after a takedown in the first period, but Garcia would fight back.

Garcia tied the match at 2 with a near fall in the second period, but let Heck escape and trailed 3-2 going into the third. Garcia regained the lead with another two-point near fall but Heck again escaped to tie the match.

With less than a minute remaining, Garcia scored a takedown and a three-point nearfall and held on for a 9-4 victory.

"That first round really gassed me out, fighting to get out from bottom," Garcia said. "I've wrestled the kid (Heck) before and always beat him. I was pretty worn out after that match."

Luke Carter put the dual out of reach for Carson by pinning Fallon's Ian Fitzpatrick at 1:50 of the first period.

Fallon opened the match with a trio of wins as Hector Anaya (112), Colin Merkley (119) and Franky de Braga (125) notched wins. Anaya dropped Cole McCarthy 20-8, while Merkley scored an 8-2 decision over Ricky Ugarte and de Braga beat Cruz Kerver, 13-0.

"Charlie's was a sweet match for me as a coach, that's one we wanted," Fallon head coach Mitch Overlie said. "This is the third time Charlie's faced him (Garcia), and I told him third time's a charm. Charlie's had him every time, they're just back and forth."