Travis Lamborn, Jonas Schenzel andd Kyle Banko all won titles to lead a solid effort by the Carson High wrestling team at the James Riddle Tournament on Saturday in Oakdale, Calif.
The Senators were locked in a tight three-way battle for second in the high-caliber California event with Galena, who also made an impressive showing, and Central California power Golden Valley of Merced. Carson settled for fourth behind Galena, who took third and Golden Valley, who took second. "It was very close," Carson coach Casey Schweitzer said.
Ten of the 13 wrestlers for Carson won at least one match. "That's a great effort," Schweitzer said.
Robbie Bozin also advanced to the finals at 135 pounds, settling for second. Schenzel won at 189, Banko won at 130 and Lamborn won at 160.
Among the highlights was the finals at 160 where Galena's Nick Williams moved into Lamborn's weight class to set up a showdown in the finals between two unbeaten wrestlers. Lamborn edged Williams 8-7.
"It was a very good match," Schweitzer said. "They are solid kids. I'm looking for those two to probably battle throughout the season."
All three of Carson's champions went 5-0 while Bozin was 4-1. Among the wrestlers who has been coming on for Carson is Schenzel. "He's really starting to put it together," Schweitzer said. "It's good stuff."
Also for Carson, Brian Halverson was third at 125, going 4-1. Another showdown between Galena and Carson came at 112 where Todd Banko ended up losing in the third place match and settling for fourth.
Among the top wrestlers for Galena was Joey Milegich, who lost in overtime in the finals at 145 and settled for second.
Other wrestlers who had strong efforts for Carson were sophomore Aaron Jolcover, who went 2-2 at 140, sophomore Garrett Truesdale, who went 2-2 at 215, Caleb Davis, who went 2-2 at 119 and Martin Azzam, who went 1-2 at 152.
Truesdale's effort was especially impressive since he was wrestling at 177 pounds. "We got a great effort out of Garrett," Schweitzer said.
Making the effort for Carson more impressive was the Senators weren't at full strength. They were without a 103-pound wrestler and one of its top wrestlers at 171 in Ahron Osheroff, who was taking a college entrance exam.
Carson was also missing its heavyweight in Zach Taylor. Freshman Taelor McDowell, who normally wrestles at 215, moved up to heavyweight.
The Senators could receive a huge lift as it's possible that Owen Craugh, another one of Carson's top wrestlers, may be allowed to wrestle at 103. Schweitzer said he believes there's a strong chance that Craugh will be cleared to compete at that weight.
"It was a great showing by Carson," Schweitzer said. "I'm very pleased with our team. Each time we compete, we get better.
"Our conditioning's coming along. I'm happy with where we are right now. I'm very optimistic."
Carson will host Damonte Ranch on Wednesday and then will compete in another high caliber California tournament, the Coast Classic, this weekend.
