The Pahrump Valley High School wrestling team brought their competitive edge to the mat on Thursday, January 9, as they faced off against long-time rivals Virgin Valley and Moapa Valley at home. The evening was filled with action-packed matchups, showcasing determination and skill from both the Junior Varsity and Varsity teams, as well as the girls’ wrestling squad.
The Junior Varsity team began the evening with a dominant 57-18 victory over Virgin Valley. Key contributions included wins by Samuel Sylva (113) on points and Jacob McLaughlin (138) by pin. Other victorious wrestlers included Azael Machuta (120), Samson Wagner (126), Emmanuel Alvarez (132), Horus Cantwell (144), Jace Eichner (150), Jacob Seeback (157), Paul Walker (175), and Sonny Skinner (190). Despite the team’s overall success, Bryce Howard (215) and Julio Ackerman (Heavyweight) faced tough opponents and came up short.
The Varsity team followed with a hard-fought 53-30 win against Virgin Valley. Standout performances included Joey Scheer (113) and Bishop Carter (132), both securing victories by pin. Joaquin Flores (126) and Ben De Santiago (138) added critical points, while Ryan Hamlin (150), Austin Alvarez (157), Kelson Cross-Smith (165), and the Bosket brothers, Iyan (175) and Oscar (190), further solidified the team’s lead. Oscar Bosket ended the match with a decisive pin. While some matches didn’t go their way, including those by Ethan Rouse (106), Jayden Crisler (144), and Billy Sparks (215), the Trojans demonstrated consistent competitiveness across the board.
Two Pahrump Valley girls competed in matches against Virgin Valley’s girls. Payton Weaver (120) delivered an impressive victory by pin, while Sarah Penner (125) wrestled with determination but ultimately lost by pin. Their participation highlighted the growth of the girls’ wrestling program at Pahrump Valley High School.
The Trojans faced a tougher challenge against Moapa Valley. The Junior Varsity team fell 24-50, with notable wins by McLaughlin (138), Walker (175), and Skinner (190). The Varsity team also struggled, losing 24-48. Rouse (106) and Scheer (113) each earned victories by pin, while Crisler (144) and Oscar Bosket (190) also secured wins. Despite losses in tightly contested matches, the team maintained a strong effort throughout the evening. Three Trojans girls also wrestled against Moapa girls. Weaver won by pin, Penner won by pin, and Amelia Graziano lost by pin.
Reflecting on the dual meet, Head Coach Frank Lopez acknowledged the significance of hosting rivals and the effort his team put forth. “Last Thursday was a big night. Always a big night when old rivals come to our gym. We wrestled well, but Moapa has a good team this year. We had a couple moments where if we could have capitalized, the night could have had a different result. But the boys and girls wrestled hard and showed a lot of work ethic, that’s all we ask.”
The team’s energy and focus left the home crowd eager to see what lies ahead for the rest of the season.
