The Pahrump Valley High School wrestling team opened its season with a weekend full of action, beginning with the Rancho Duals on Saturday, November 30, and followed by dual meets against Boulder City and Canyon Springs on Monday, December 2. The team showed resilience and determination as they faced a mix of seasoned competitors and challenging matchups, gaining valuable experience along the way.
The Rancho Duals, held at Rancho High School, featured six dual matches against teams from across the region. The Trojans faced off against Foothill High School’s A and B teams, Liberty, Rancho, Bishop Gorman, and Bonanza. While the Trojans secured commanding wins against Rancho (54-30) and Bonanza (65-3), they faced hard-fought losses against Foothill A (51-18), Foothill B (49-30), Liberty (63-18), and Bishop Gorman (44-36).
Head Coach Frank Lopez reflected on the event, emphasizing the team’s improvement throughout the day. “This weekend was tough… first time making weight,” Lopez said. “But as the day went on, we got stronger and started wrestling our style. We’re a young team with a lot of room for growth.”
Several wrestlers had strong performances throughout the day. Senior Oscar Bosket led the team with an outstanding 5-1 record at 190 pounds, showcasing his experience and skill. Fellow senior Bishop Carter at 132 pounds and Joseph Scheer (113 pounds), Jayden Crisler (144 pounds), and Iyan Bosket (175 pounds) each finished the day with solid 4-2 records, contributing significantly to the team’s efforts.
Other wrestlers also made their marks on the mat. Zach Hulderson (120 pounds) and Joaquin Flores (126 pounds) each finished 3-3, demonstrating perseverance in their matches. Ben De Santiago, competing at 138 pounds, worked hard and finished 2-4, and Gavin Small (150 pounds) battled in each of his matches, finishing 1-5. Austin Alvarez (157 pounds) brought energy and determination to the team with a 4-2 record.
In the upper weight classes, Billy Sparks (215 pounds) earned a victory on the day, finishing 1-5, while heavyweight wrestler Julio Ackerman delivered a competitive performance with a 3-3 record, showing promise for the season ahead.
The Trojans ended the day on a high note, dominating Bonanza in a 65-3 victory that highlighted their potential when wrestling at their best.
Two days later, the team carried their momentum into dual meets against Boulder City and Canyon Springs. Against Boulder City, the Trojans secured a 59-22 win. Key victories came from Scheer, Hulderson, Flores, and Crisler, who each secured wins by pin, while Carter and Iyan Bosket earned wins by forfeit. Oscar Bosket, Sparks, and Ackerman continued to lead in the upper weights, with all three pinning their opponents.
The second meet of the day against Canyon Springs showcased the depth and determination of the Trojans as they secured a commanding 60-18 victory. Joseph Scheer, Zach Hulderson, and Joaquin Flores each contributed valuable points with wins by forfeit, giving the team an early edge. Senior Bishop Carter kept the momentum going with a decisive pin, and Ben De Santiago followed suit, earning his own pinfall victory. Jayden Crisler added another pin to the Trojans’ tally, while Gavin Small secured a hard-fought win with a pin of his opponent.
Christian Ramsical and Ryan Hamlin wrestled valiantly, though both were defeated by pin, and heavyweight Julio Ackerman battled through a challenging match but also fell by pin. In the upper weight classes, Iyan Bosket added a win by forfeit, and senior Oscar Bosket delivered another standout performance with a dominant pin. Billy Sparks rounded out the team’s efforts with a pin of his own, helping to solidify the Trojans’ commanding team win.
The weekend provided an opportunity for the Trojans to assess their strengths and identify areas for improvement. With seniors like Carter and Oscar Bosket leading the way, and younger wrestlers gaining valuable experience, the team is building a strong foundation for the season.
Fans can look forward to seeing the Trojans in action again soon as they continue their journey toward success on the mats.
