The Pahrump Valley High School Varsity Wrestling team delivered a full day of strong performances at the 3A Southern Regional Duals, held Saturday, January 24, at Moapa Valley High School, finishing the tournament with a guaranteed second-place team result.
Pahrump Valley opened the day with a decisive 60–13 victory over Virgin Valley in Round 1. The Trojans racked up bonus points throughout the lineup, with falls from Zachary Hulderson (120), Zelin Kamanu (126), Wesley Cruff (144), Austin Alvarez (157), Jacob Stepp (190), and Julio Ackerman (285). Timothy Stutzman (106), Carlos Flores (132), and Paul Walker (165) added forfeits, while Ethan Rouse (113) earned a major decision. Despite a one-point team deduction for unsportsmanlike conduct, Pahrump Valley controlled the dual from start to finish.
In Round 2, the Trojans continued their momentum with a 60–21 win over The Meadows School. Quick pins from Jacob McLaughlin (138), Wesley Cruff (144), Jayden Crisler (150), and Iyan Bosket (215) highlighted the match, while Stepp (190), Ackerman (285), Stutzman (106), Rouse (113), and Hulderson (120) all collected points via forfeit. Paul Walker added another forfeit win at 165 to help secure the team victory.
The most tightly contested dual of the day came in Round 3, where host Moapa Valley edged Pahrump Valley 41–39. The Trojans answered with key wins from Hulderson (120), Crisler (150), Alvarez (157 by injury default), Stepp (190), Bosket (215), Stutzman (106), and Rouse (113). With multiple matches decided by falls on both sides, the dual came down to the final bouts and reflected just how closely matched the two programs were.
Pahrump Valley rebounded in Round 4 with a commanding 78–5 victory over Equipo Academy. Nearly every match ended quickly, with first-period falls from Kamanu (126), Cruff (144), Crisler (150), Walker (165), Stepp (190), Bosket (215), Ackerman (285), and Hulderson (120). Stutzman (106), Rouse (113), Flores (132), and McLaughlin (138) all picked up forfeits as the Trojans overwhelmed their opponent.
The day concluded with a 56–23 win over Boulder City in Round 5. Stepp (190), Bosket (215), and Ackerman (285) each secured rapid falls, while Walker (165) earned a technical fall and McLaughlin (138) posted a hard-fought decision. Stutzman (106), Rouse (113), and Hulderson (120) added forfeits, and Kamanu (126) closed out the dual with a pin.
Head Coach Antonio Sandoval praised his team’s effort and mindset throughout the long day of competition.
“It was a good weekend, we wrestled really tough,” Sandoval said. “The boys showed a lot of resilience, having to get on the bus by 5 to go wrestle some tough competition. Really proud of how they responded to adversity and wouldn’t quit regardless of how tough it was. Excited to see us go get some redemption, or to back up our performances in Mesquite in two weeks.”
With four dual victories and one narrow loss, Pahrump Valley capped off the regional tournament with a runner-up finish, showcasing depth across the lineup and building momentum as the postseason approaches.
*These photos and more are available at pvcnphotos.com.
