BEHIND THE PLATE: Sports year closes with state appearances

Another chapter of Greenwave athletics has come to a close.

While there were no state team championships for the first time since Fallon entered the Division I-A, the Greenwave still had some productive teams who have established themselves as strong contenders for the new school year.

The spring season was the most successful of the three this year with the boys track and field and softball teams finishing second at the state tournament. The Lady Wave softball team was three outs away from forcing the “if” game against Fernley before the Vaqueros staged one of the most impressive comebacks in recent tournament history. The South had more schools in the Division I-A because of their realignment before the season, which showed on the track as Fallon came 7.5 points short against newcomer Mojave of three-peating as well.

Elena Murray won two titles to help the girls track team to a seventh-place finish. The Lady Wave swimmers took fourth in the first state appearance in 14 years while the boys, compiled of two swimmers, finished 14th. The boys golf team had one in the state meet.

The baseball team was the only sport that missed out on the state action.

Fallon lost a battle with Truckee to make it to the state tournament after making the tournament the last two years, including winning the crown in 2011.

Flip the calendar to the fall and Fallon found success on all levels.

The football team made the playoffs again despite stumbling at the end of the regular season.

The volleyball team was upset by Dayton at home in the Division I-A quarterfinals while the soccer clubs qualified for the regional tournament but missed out on the state tournament.

Girls golf sent two to the state tournament while cross country fared strongly by placing several in the top 12. And for the first time in program history, the tennis teams advanced to state.

The winter season was highlighted by the Lady Wave basketball team’s incredible run late in the season to make the playoffs. Fallon nearly upset Spring Creek before the Spartans ran down the court in the closing seconds to steal the win.

The boys team, on the other hand, struggled to make it past the regular season while the wrestling team had a tough time crowning a state champ after sending several into the championships.

The future, nevertheless, looks bright as always for Greenwave athletics, as well as the graduating seniors who will continue their sports careers at the next level. Whether it’s coaching, playing in intramurals or competing in the NCAA, NAIA or on the junior college level, these Greenwave stars will continue a very proud tradition. Fallon might be behind on creating many championship teams but this school continues to produce top-level student-athletes on the college and professional levels.

Thomas Ranson can be contacted at lvnsports.com.