PREPS: Craugh hopes to leave sport with state title

The end is near for Carson High wrestler Patrick Craugh. After 11-plus years in the sport, he's ready to move on to other things; new challenges.

With that in mind, the Carson High senior would like nothing more than to secure a regional and state title before hanging up his wrestling shoes forever.

The road starts Friday at the 4A regionals at Reno High School when Craugh, armed with a 40-7 record and titles at the American River Classic and Fernley Invitational, goes in as one of the favorites in the 112-pound weight class. If he can finish in the top three this weekend, he makes a return trip to the state tourney the following weekend at Spanish Springs.

"I have a pretty good chance of winning (regionals)," Craugh said after a recent practice. "I just have to beat (Joseph) DeLeon (from McQueen). I lost to him (5-1) in the Sierra Nevada Classic.

"I have to stay in good position. I didn't have good position the last time around. He was pulling on my head and throwing me off balance. And, I took a couple of bad shots (on takedown attempts)."

Carson coach Tim McCarthy shares Craugh's outlook on the tournament. The veteran coach said he would be stunned if it wasn't Craugh and DeLeon in the championship match on Saturday.

One of the keys for Craugh this year has been his re-dedication to the sport. His attitude and work ethic toward the sport has improved immensely.

"He's really stepped up this year," McCarthy said. "I made him team captain, and I wouldn't have done it if I didn't think he was dedicated enough,"

And that gesture hasn't been lost on Craugh.

"I worked hard in the off-season," Craugh said. "I did a lot of lifting and a lot of running.

"It's my senior year. I'm trying to be a better example for our team."

McCarthy said that Craugh's quickness and flexibility also have been key to his success.

"His best attribute would be that he's lightning quick," McCarthy said. "He's also super flexible; Gumby like. He also has great balance."

Craugh just smiled when told about McCarthy's Gumby statement.

"I've always been like that," Craugh said. "It's just something you have. It's not something that can be taught."

Craugh almost didn't make it to this point. After a disappointing freshman year, he was ready to quit the sport. All the years of junior wrestling with the Carson Bulldogs and one high school season had taken its toll on the youngster.

"I didn't do well my freshman year," Craugh said. "I had a lot of tough losses. I was getting tired of it."

Not exactly the news that McCarthy, who was coming back to take over the CHS program, wanted to hear.

"I was hearing that Pat wasn't going to come out," McCarthy said. "I knew Pat from when he wrestled with the Bulldogs. I told him he'd be wasting a lot of talent if he didn't come out.

"I wasn't surprised that it (almost) happened. It takes a ton of effort, it takes a lot of cardiovascular and commitment. And then on top of that you have somebody trying to rip your arm off all the time."

Craugh did end up on the team as a sophomore, or rather was forced to go to the team by his dad, Owen.

"I was burned out; just done with it," Craugh admitted. "My dad pushed me to come out. Quitting wasn't an option."

It sounds like things on the homefront could be an issue, but the younger Craugh said he gets a lot of support from both his dad and older brother Owen, a former Carson high wrestler.

"My brother helps me figure out how to beat kids," the Carson senior said. "He corrects what I do wrong."

Craugh knows he is coming to the part of the season where he can't afford to be wrong often or his championship dreams will be spoiled.