WINNEMUCCA - The Lowry High School wrestling program prides itself on wanting to win every time it goes on to the mat.
While the Lowry Blue wrestlers were in Nampa, Idaho for the Rollie Lane Invitational, the Lowry Gold made the trip west this past weekend for the Sparks Invitational.
The Buckaroos', who battled the entire tournament with Elko for the top spot, used a strong medal round to win the team championship by one point (173.50-172.50).
Churchill County finished third with 151 points, North Valleys was fourth at 138 and South Tahoe rounded out the top five with 135 points. A total of 20 teams competed in the tournament.
"It was a complete team effort for us to win the tournament," said LHS coach Brant Corak. "If we don't get the finishes we did, we don't win the tournament. I think the kids realized that every match counts. They know now that a quarterfinal match on Friday afternoon means something. Even the guys that didn't place, if they win one or two matches, it helps out."
The Buckaroos had six wrestlers finish in the top four, with Gabe Molina winning the 132-pound championship.
"Gabe looked good all weekend," Corak said. "He has been wrestling strong the past couple of weeks."
Blake Hillyer (195) and Chris Karchella (220) earned runner-up finishes for Lowry.
"For Hillyer and Karchella to make their way into the finals and get team points for us, how do you not recognize that," Corak said.
Tristen Waller (152), Blake Duncan (160) and Micah Somers (285) placed third for Lowry. The team championship came down to the final match with Somers at 285 pounds. If the sophomore won the match, the Buckaroos would win the title. Somers' match went into triple overtime and he earned a reversal to win the match.
"That was big for Micah," Corak said. "He had never beaten the kid from Dayton and lost to him three times. He was the only one that knew if he wins, we win the team title. The other guys didn't know that. The gym was loud and crazy."
Tyler Boyd added a fourth-place finish at 145 pounds for the Buckaroos.
"Everything went right for us at the end," said the coach. "Tristen was just in a brawl for third place and gets a reversal with a couple of seconds to go. Blake (Duncan) came out and got us a big win at 160 pounds. Blake (Hillyer) was losing his match, until the third period and gets a reversal and a pin, which is extra points."
The Lowry Gold is back on the road this weekend for the Douglas Invitational in Minden.
"When the guys go to the tournaments, they don't look at themselves as JV guys," Corak said. "They go in as Lowry Gold and want to show other teams that they can compete. They are up in that wrestling room every day working hard."[[In-content Ad]]
