The Spanish Springs wrestling program has dominated Northern Nevada. Last week, the Cougars won their seventh regional title in eight years.
However, success at state has eluded the Cougs. The best they had done at the final meet of the year was tie for fourth in 2014.
They changed the script on Saturday, finishing second at the state meet in Primm, Nevada with a team score of 107.5—23 points behind Green Valley, which won its fifth-straight state title. They finished 12 points ahead of third-place Arbor View and 22.5 points ahead of fourth-place Shadow Ridge.
Six of the nine Spanish Springs wrestlers who qualified for state placed in the top three.
Blake Boswell made it look easy, cruising to the 145-pound state title with three victories by fall.
He pinned Reed’s Chase Heit 42 seconds into the second round of the championship match to cap his high school career off with a title.
Cole Drescher (152), Jacob Dye (160) and Casey Preston (195) were all state runners up.
Owen Jones (106) and Jacob Ruiz (113) both battled through the consolation bracket to finish third.
Colby Preston (152), Logan Klonicke (182) and Tyler Barats (heavyweight) also qualified for the meet.
Quality over quantity for Raiders
Reed only sent three wrestlers to the state meet but they made it count.
After finishing second at state as a sophomore, Izzy Casarez rolled to the 138-pound state title in dominating fashion. He won all three of his matches by major decision.
He won his opener 11-3 and his semifinal, 16-8, before besting Foothill’s Wyatt English, 13-5, in the championship match.
Casarez’s teammate, Chase Heit (145), also advanced to the state title match where he finished second.
Austin Martinez (126) qualified for state but did not make it to the podium.
Sparks’ Nobbs two and out
Sparks heavyweight wrestler Hunter Nobbs was the only Railroader to qualify for the DI-A state meet on Saturday which ran simultaneously with the DI meet in Primm, Nevada.
His successful season came to a close with two losses.
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