LAS VEGAS - Although the Lowry High School wrestling team is one of the most storied programs in the history of Nevada high school sports, the Buckaroos have never had a four-time individual champion.
Lowry has produced many three-time champions, including three more at the 2012 NIAA Nevada State Wrestling Championships presented by the Las Vegas Review-Journal and Farmers Insurance that concluded Saturday night at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas.
On a night when the Buckaroos won their fourth consecutive state title and 14th overall to tie the Nevada record for most state championships, they now have a four-time champion in Jace Billingsley.
"I am happy for the kid and he wrapped up a stellar career," said LHS head coach John Brooks. "I always hate to single out a kid, but he was our leader and the one to look to all the time to get us going. He was a lot of the heart and soul of this team and I only wish he was coming back for another year. I really hope that he would get a chance to wrestle in college because I know he would be successful."
Billingsley finished up his high school career with 223 wins - the most in Nevada history - as he pinned Moapa Valley's Trevor Durham 41 seconds into the second period. The senior won state championships in four different weight classes.
"It feels pretty good," Billingsley said. "I have been working on this since I have been 5 years old. With all the awesome wrestlers to come through the program over the years, it is an honor and feels good to be the first. Hopefully there will be a bunch more to follow."
Billingsley had little trouble on his way to the 160-pound title, pinning Elko's Todd Sharp in the quarterfinals and Boulder City's Billy Viera in the semifinals.
"With the tradition we have, it makes it feel that much better," Billingsley added. "This is probably my most rewarding season and best record wise for me. The best part of this year is that we have won four straight state titles. Winning the four team championships is more important than anything, especially when you go through all the hard practices with the guys. No one deserves it more than the guys. I am glad to be part of something special."
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