Moapa Valley Progress
For the first time in a long while three Moapa Valley Pirate wrestlers stood on the awards podium at the state wrestling tournament held last Saturday, February 22, at the Buffalo Bill arena in Primm, NV. Senior Jared Repp, senior exchange student Francesco Branca and junior Kaleb Bodily were awarded medals for their performances at the one-day tournament.
Kaleb Bodily, who narrowly lost his semifinal match, placed third in the 152 lb. weight class. Francesco Branca, having lost to eventual state champion Bo Billingsley from Lowry in his semifinal match, came back to pin his opponent in he consolation final match at 170 lbs. Jared Repp reached the finals at 160 and was ahead for most of his match against his Fallon High School opponent but eventually lost in the third period.
This year’s tournament was different from the usual two-day end-of-the-year event. Each bracket contained only eight wrestlers, four from the north region and four from the south region. As a result there were no “walk over” matches for anyone, and every time a wrestler took the mat he knew that his opponent was someone who could defeat him if he did not wrestle his best.
The Pirates had a fine season this year, placing second in at least two tournaments and concluding the dual meet season with an exciting finish in a match against Chaparral. The Repp brothers will be leaving after this season, and their absence will be sorely missed. Both have been solid wrestlers for the program for four years, and that is not easily replaced. In addition, Francesco Branca will be returning to Italy after this year, but his performance has been an unexpected gift for the Pirates. Kaleb Bodily will be returning for his senior year next year and should be a serious contender for the state title.
Congratulations to the Pirates for a successful wrestling season in the valley.
