Two make All-State wrestling team

By  NICK YAMASHITA

The Progress

Two local prep wrestling athletes were named to the second team of the 2024 Nevada Preps Southern Region Team for the wrestling season.

Three-time State Champion Gunner Cortez of Virgin Valley High School, and state champion Gavyn Frederick of Moapa Valley High School, received the honors.
“It felt great,” Cortez said. “I am grateful for the recognition of my accomplishments and for my support system.”

Cortez won the 2024 state championship for the 150 lb. weight class only dropping one match all season and ending his high school career with a 127-4 record.

Frederick won state in the 215 lb. weight class in dominant fashion with all of his victories within the first period. He didn’t drop a single match during regional or state championship tournaments.
Honorable mentions included four other Moapa Valley state runner-up wrestlers: Morris Wolfley, Caleb Anderson, Jared Evans and Shandon Matheson.

Wolfley and Matheson won their weight classes in the state tournament while Evans took second and Anderson took fourth place.

Moapa Valley Head Coach Ryan Anderson said he didn’t know what the criteria was and who decides on who makes the list. But he was appreciative that his athletes were recognized.
“It’s nice to see others recognize the hard work our kids are putting in,” he said.
“It would be fun to bring back a Super State Tournament to get rid of the subjectivity,” Anderson added. “But ultimately, we are just proud of our athletes for the season they had and we are looking forward to them continuing to improve.”

SLAM Academy was the dominant presence on the list as 13 wrestlers from the school were on first and second teams. The school’s coaches were also awarded Head and Assistant Coaches of the year.
The list was released by NIAA and the Las Vegas Review Journal.