Carson High's Paul Carter found out last year that even with a disappointing performance, at this time of the season the most important factor is survival.
Carter had a disappointing effort at last year's Northern 4A Zone wrestling championships. But even though a fifth place finish wasn't what he had in mind, as far as survival was concerned, it was just as good as first because the top five advanced to the NIAA state championships sponsored by U.S. Bank. "It was pretty upsetting," said Carter about his finish last year.
But since he survived, Carter rebounded for a sixth place finish at state.
"I felt like I had a lot more energy, I guess," Carter said. "I was jazzed up and ready to wrestle. I didn't want to lose the way I did at zone."
In his senior year, Carter has loftier goals this year. He is ranked No. 1 in the North at 140 pounds and not only does he want to win a zone title, he wants to win a state crown as well. His quest along with the rest of the Carson wrestling team begins Friday and Saturday during the zone championships at Sparks High.
Carter would like to add another state title for Carson to the two won in 2001 by Justin Sarnowski and Doug Brooks.
"I've been training for it for four years, with Doug and Sarno and everybody," Carter said. "I don't want to lose another match all year."
His strategy is simple. "I'm aggressive," he said. "I like to shake them up before I do anything, intimidate them, like to see if I can get them scared."
Along with his competition in the North, wrestlers from Centennial and Palo Verde from the South could be among those who stand in the way of Carter and a state title. Carter lost to the Palo Verde wrestler at the Coronado Tournament in Las Vegas, but came back to beat him at the Sierra Nevada Classic earlier this season.
Carter placed eighth at the Sierra Nevada Classic out of 90 wrestlers after nearly placing last season.
"I'm happy with it," Carter said. "Placing eighth out of 90 kids is pretty good."
Fallon is the favorite to win the zone title, with Carson and Douglas the teams likely to provide the biggest challenge.
"Those are the two teams we have to beat for the zone title," said Carter about Fallon and Douglas. "We look pretty strong."
Carson will be at a disadvantage with only 13 wrestlers as Mark Graham is out with an injury at 103. Carter said the Senators will miss Graham, who would have score valuable points for the team.
"It will be tough without him, but we should be pretty tough," Carter said.
Along with Nick Shine (189) and Allen Wooldridge (215), Carter is a team captain. Shine could also be a contender for the state title. Carter said they're all trying to stress to the younger wrestlers the importance of scoring points and surviving at zone.
"We just try to get the younger guys to see what this is like," Carter said.
The support of his family, teammates and the community is a key, Carter said. "Everybody's been real supportive of this team," he said.
Charles Whisnand is the Nevada Appeal sports editor.
