The Pahrump Valley High School wrestling team capped off an incredible season with a strong showing at the 3A State Tournament in Fallon, Nevada, on February 7-8. Ten talented Trojan wrestlers qualified to compete at the highest level, showcasing their dedication, grit, and determination against the best in the state.
Representing PVHS at state were Senior Bishop Carter (132 lbs), Senior Oscar Bosket (190 lbs), Junior Joseph Scheer (113 lbs), Junior Jacob McLaughlin (132 lbs), Junior Austin Alvarez (157 lbs), Junior Ethan Rouse (106 lbs), Sophomore Iyan Bosket (175 lbs), Sophomore Paul Walker (165 lbs), Sophomore Zach Hulderson (113 lbs), and Sophomore Joaquin Flores (126 lbs).
While Carter, Scheer, McLaughlin, Walker, Rouse, and Flores went 0-2 against tough opponents, their journey to state was a testament to their hard work throughout the season. Assistant Coach Mike Colucci emphasized the strength of the team and highlighted standout performances from several wrestlers.
Austin Alvarez (157 lbs) went 1-2, coming just one win away from placing in the top four and earning a state medal. “Austin is an explosive athlete who wrestles with great aggression and intensity,” said Colucci. “We look for him to have a very successful senior season next year.”
Iyan Bosket (175 lbs) delivered an impressive performance, finishing 3-1 and placing third. “Iyan ran into a three-time state champion in the semifinals but dominated the backside of the bracket to secure third place. We’re excited to see what he accomplishes over the next two seasons and beyond. He has a very high ceiling,” Colucci added.
One of the biggest surprises of the tournament was sophomore Zach Hulderson (113 lbs), who entered as a non-scoring extra and the #4 seed from the South. He shocked the bracket by pinning the #1 seed from Lowry in the quarterfinals after making a remarkable comeback from being down 10 points. He then pinned the #3 seed from Hug in the semifinals to earn a spot in the state championship match, where he ultimately finished as the runner-up. “Zach was definitely the bracket buster of the tournament,” said Colucci. “It was a great finish to his sophomore season, and we expect big things from him in the future!”
The highlight of the weekend came at 190 lbs, where senior Oscar Bosket dominated his way to a 3-0 record and the 3A State Championship title. “Oscar did exactly what we expected him to do this weekend. He dominated his bracket, just like he’s done all season,” Colucci said. “All the hard work he’s put in and the sacrifices he’s made finally paid off. He has a bright future ahead, and we’re excited to see what he does after graduation.”
Head Coach Frank Lopez was proud of the entire team’s effort and reflected on the season’s success. “The boys worked hard all year, and it was fun to watch them compete and finish the season. Zach Hulderson took it upon himself to go down to 113 pounds from 120, and it was a great decision. He started the tournament by pinning the number one seed from the north and then got another pin in the semis. He came out of nowhere and found himself in the state finals. He’s a tough, wiry kid, and we’re excited to see him grow over the next two years.”
Coach Lopez also praised the Bosket brothers for their performances. “Oscar finishes his career with a state championship, and I couldn’t be happier or more proud of the kid. Iyan had a great tournament, only losing to the eventual state champ, and placed third. He sprained his ankle pretty bad two days before regionals and still showed how tough he is.”
Reflecting on the team’s overall performance, Lopez added, “The other boys wrestled well but had tough draws. As a whole, we didn’t wrestle badly—we just got beat, and that happens. Huge shoutout to my coaching staff. I’m truly blessed to get to coach with those guys. Another successful year of hard work and growth.”
With strong individual performances and a state championship to celebrate, the future remains bright for PVHS wrestling. The team looks forward to building on this success in the coming seasons, continuing the tradition of excellence on the mat.
*Photos taken by Alina Veloz.
