As the regular season winds down, the Battle Mountain High School wrestling team is beginning to step up its efforts in preparation for the post season.
The Longhorns competed in the final individual tournament of the regular season last weekend, as they were in Fernley for the 16th annual Vaquero Classic Wrestling Tournament.
“This tournament gives us one last chance to see the Division I and I-A teams before we move into our league season,” said BMHS coach Mitch Domagala.
The Longhorns battled hard over the two-day event and in the end saw themselves in fourth place with 188 points. Lowry won the team title with 249.50 points and Elko (236) and Reno (194) were second and third, respectively.
“We had a solid weekend from beginning to end,” said the coach. “Our kids are continuing to improve each week, and we saw that this weekend.”
Battle Mountain crowned two individual champions, as Cameron Thompson at 106 pounds and Jeff Oakes (182) cruised through their weight classes winning all their bouts by fall.
Thompson jumped into the semifinals with wins over South Tahoe’s Kody Griffis and Wooster’s Jorge Diaz. Thompson knocked off Lowry’s Ridge Ricketts 12-4 in the semifinals and won the weight class by pinning Devin Purtain of Quincy, Calif.
Oakes won all four of his matches by pin, beginning with Antonio Salazar of Wooster. The senior followed that with wins over Reno’s Bryce Bell, Incline’s Michael Guymon and North Valleys’ Zach Martin.
Andrew Cox battled through the deepest weight class at 132 pounds and finished in second place. DeAndre Powell (120) posted a 4-1 record and finished in third.
Zach Heese (220) was 4-2 over the two days and ended in fourth place. Bobby Kester (126) claimed a fifth place finish, while Jake Legarza (106) and Tristin Cordingley (195) came home in sixth.
They were joined by Branden Stallard, Daegen McClary, Christian Nevarez, Fernando Carrillo and Mason Chopp.
“Every one of these kids fought hard in each match,” Domagala said. “They are headed in the right direction. Now, we just need to step on the gas, so we are ready at the end of the season.”
The Longhorns will be hosting duals as they make a two-week home stand. On Friday, Battle Mountain hosts a nine-team dual tournament at 4 p.m.
Battle Mountain will be back on Feb. 5-6 to host the Division III/IV leage duals.
