The Moapa Valley High School boys wrestling team saw 13 wrestlers qualify for the state wrestling championships at the 3A Southern Regionals in Mesquite on Saturday, Feb. 7. The Pirates finished second to Pahrump Valley by 27.5 points.

“Pahrump did an awesome job. They have a great team this year and have been working really hard,” said MVHS head coach Ryan Anderson. “I’m very happy for them and their success. They have a great coaching staff and some great young men on their team.”

Despite the Trojan team’s performance, four Pirates won their weight classes. Stetson Houston went 2-0 with a pinfall and major decision at 132 pounds, as did Ryker Katich at 165 pounds.

Connor Wolfley went 3-0 with a pinfall victory and two very close decisions to win the 138-pound weight class. He won the championship bout 10-9 over Pahrump Valley’s Zachary Hulderson with an escape with 42 seconds remaining in regulation.

“Connor Wolfley had a nail biter in the finals,” said MVHS head coach Ryan Anderson. “He had previously lost to his opponent in the regional duals, and Connor probably was an underdog, but he decided to go get it and he did. It was awesome to watch.”

Caleb Anderson, wrestling at 138 pounds, went 2-0 with a technical fall and a pinfall victory over Virgin Valley’s Micah Woods in 3:01 of the championship bout.

“Caleb Anderson is wrestling really well right now. He pinned his opponent in the finals, which helped for team points but was also a huge confidence booster for him,” Coach Anderson said.

The Pirates also had four second-place finishers: Tred Cameron (2-1 at 144 pounds); Morris Wolfley (1-1 at 126 pounds); Jayden Staley (1-1 at 175 pounds) and King Walker (0-1 at 106 pounds).

Felix Ramirez climbed through the consolation bracket with two pinfall victories after a first-round loss to Trojan William Sparks to finish third in the 190-pound weight class. Steele Meeks also won via major decision and pinfall after a first-round loss to Virgin Valley’s Ollie Zunga to finish third at 285 pounds.

Fourth-place finishers for the Pirates included Tyson Houston (126 pounds), Trenton Bunch (150 pounds) and Grant Conger (2-2 at 157 pounds). Aiden Brooks (132 pounds), Cru Palmer (138 pounds) and Trystin Wells (215 pounds) all finished fifth and will serve as state alternates if a qualifier in their weight classes is unable to compete.

The NIAA State Wrestling Championships start Friday, Feb. 13 at noon in Winnemucca and run through Saturday.