RENO - For more than 40 years Lowry High School, the most dominant wrestling team in Nevada history, did not have a four-time individual state champion.
The Buckaroos had a number of three-time champions, until Jace Billingsley accomplished the feat a year ago, on his way to becoming the all-time wins leader in state history.
Well he has company now, as his cousin, Michael Billingsley won his fourth individual title on Saturday at the NIAA State Wrestling Championships at the Reno Livestock Event Center.
The senior pinned Churchill County's Dakota Schelling 63 seconds into the second period to claim the 170-pound title.
"It feels awesome - the best feeling ever," Billingsley said after winning the championship. "A lot of weight has been lifted off my shoulders. It felt even better to see my brother (Beau) win before me. I was more nervous watching him. This has been a dream of mine since I was five years old."
Billingsley, who nearly reached the 200-win total, sat out a good portion of the season after recovering from knee surgery. He suffered just one loss this season and that came in the championship at the Rollie Lane Invitational in Nampa, Idaho.
"There was never any doubt with the knee injury, but it was a little rougher than I thought it would be," added the senior, who will be attending Air Force this fall. "I thought I would just come right back and get going, but it took me time to recover. Luckily, I recovered in time."
Billingsley breezed through his first two opponents, pinning Desert Pines' Seth Monahan and Elko's Sam Schick, in helping the Buckaroos to their fifth consecutive state team title and 15th overall, a state record.
"I am proud of him," said LHS head coach John Brooks. "He is a hard worker. He got through the knee injury and worked hard when he got back. We went so long without a four-time champion and now we have two. That is a pretty special feat to accomplish."
Lowry ran away with the team title, scoring 221 points, while Spring Creek was second at 113. Virgin Valley was third at 92.50 and Churchill County (90) and Fernley (65.50) rounded out the top five.
"I am just so proud of my team," Billingsley said. "Everyone worked their butts off. This was our dream team this year. There is no secret in what we do. We just get after it and everyone in that room wants to be a state champion. When you see the wall with all the state champions on it, it motivates you."
[[In-content Ad]]
