Pirate Wrestlers Perform Well at Division Tournament

The Moapa Valley Pirates participated in the Southern 3A Division Wrestling Tournament held in Mesquite on Saturday, February 13. The Pirates did very well and, in fact, were awarded the division championship plaque at the end of the competition. But after a protest from the Boulder City coaching staff regarding the computer scoring system, the division title was reversed and given to Boulder City.

Each team was able to bring one wrestler in each of the 14 weight classifications plus four JV wrestlers in any weight class at the coaches’ discretion. Although the JV wrestlers didn’t count toward team points they had a chance to place in the top three slots and qualify for a berth in the state tournament.

Moapa Valley had five athletes finish with division titles as follows:

Nathan Sprague, freshman 112 lbs beat Brandon Gonzalez from Boulder City. Nathan was brought in as a JV wrestler and had an amazing day to finish in the number one spot. Cyle Durham, senior 119 lbs beat Taylor Fails of Virgin Valley. Shae Bryant, junior 125 lbs defeated Jimmy Cannon from Virgin Valley. Parker Chappell, sophomore 152 lbs defeated Rudy Garcia of Boulder City. Justin Ibarra, senior 215 lbs defeated Bleu Huxford of Boulder City.

Other Pirate wrestlers who placed in the tournament and who qualify for the state tournament are: Dylan Smith 103 lbs, 2nd place; Chase Witter 130 lbs, 2nd place; Trevor Durham 135 lbs, 3rd place; Kris Postma 140 lbs 3rd place; Ricky Glaubitz 145 lbs, 3rd place; Dylan Mortensen 160 lbs, 3rd place; Lane Stringham 171 lbs, 2nd place; Ben Rebman 189 lbs, 2nd place; and Ray Bellavance heavy weight, 3rd place.

The Pirates haven’t won a division wrestling title in over 25 years so to get so close is a big step towards building a program. Moapa has qualified a wrestler in each weight class to compete in the state tournament on Friday and Saturday at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas. The northern 3A division will bring six wrestlers in each classification. The sixth place northern division qualifier will wrestle the 3rd place southern qualifier in a pigtail match in the opening of the state tournament. The winner of that match earns the 8th place seed in the eight man state bracket. The Nevada 1A, 2A, 3A and 4A state wrestling tournament will be held concurrently at the Cox Pavilion and is expected to bring a large crowd of participants and spectators.