Senator wrestling looking for ‘payoff year’

Carson High wrestling got its season underway last weekend at the Earl Wilkins Invitational in Fallon, winning four of five duals with the loss coming against Spanish Springs.

It was the year’s first look at varsity competition for longtime coach Nick Redwine.

“We have a lot of really experienced wrestlers. We really feel like we could make a run at regionals and the dual schedule. We want to win,” said Redwine. “We are pushing the returners to think about winning.”

Redwine picked up his 100th dual win over the course of the weekend.

Looking at the lineup

At 106 pounds, Jesse Olivia returns after qualifying for state as a sophomore last winter.

Carson is still finalizing its varsity wrestlers at 113, 120 and 126 pounds, but the rest of the Senator lineup may be close to set.

Redwine said Carson wrestling fans may see freshmen at 113 and 126.

Returning at 132 pounds will be Lucas Wold, who was third last year at regionals at 126 pounds and a state runner-up as a sophomore at 120 pounds.

Jett Rupert will be back in the mix at 138 pounds for the Senators while Toby Krehbiel will grapple at 144 pounds.

Rupert was a state qualifier a season ago while Krehbiel just missed a spot in the state tourney.

At 150 pounds, Maddox Sweet will take over for his senior season.

“So far he has looked really impressive,” said Redwine.

AJ Marhevka returns to the fold at 157 pounds after qualifying for state last winter.

Junior JT Heaton, who was a state qualifier at 165 pounds last season, will compete at 175 pounds this winter.

Isaiah Olivia will wrestle at 190 pounds, while two freshman will take over the workload at 215 pounds.

Dominic Porter will be the heavyweight for the Senators again after a fourth place finish at regionals last season.

“He (Porter) probably did the most wrestling over the summer. He is really looking forward to this year,” said Redwine.

As of Saturday, five girls will wrestle for the Senators.

“I’m looking for a girls coach right now to really help start building that program up,” said Redwine. “We’re working on it. The (new) girls are looking to learn and are eager.”

Setting the bar high

Even with some newcomers and freshman potentially in the lineup on a weekly basis, Redwine isn’t shy about his expectations to be at the top of the league.

Spanish Springs is the favorite year-in and year-out until it is dethroned.

McQueen, Damonte Ranch and Douglas are the three other teams on Redwine’s radar.

Carson added a new tournament in Las Vegas at Centennial High School in January where the Senators will get to see plenty of future state competition.

“Everybody seems to have a full team,” said Redwine. “Everyone is well coached. It could be anybody’s year. Everybody is in that payoff year this year so it should be a really interesting year.”

(Carson High’s AJ Marhevka goes to throw his opponent during a match at the Earl Wilkins Invitational last weekend in Fallon. / Carter Eckl)