Last weekend was another case of déjà vu for the Greenwave wrestling team.
During its run to last year’s state championship, Fallon stumbled in the 3A North duals but picked itself back up during the regional tournament and the rest was history.
Fast-forward to 2017 and second-year coach Trevor de Braga’s squad saw a similar showing at South Tahoe on Saturday.
“I remember my head spinning around after league duals last year because we had the same situations happen and losing matches we shouldn’t,” de Braga said. “All I can hope is that it is an eye opener for some of my boys and we peak as wrestlers at state.”
Fallon lost duals against Lowry and Spring Creek, mostly due to Fallon forfeiting four weight classes (106, 132, 138 and 195 pounds). But a few unexpected individual losses affected seeding, which becomes more critical this year because only the top three from this weekend’s regional tournament in Truckee will go to state. The south will send five wrestlers from each weight class.
“We really have to wrestle great and be in the top three,” de Braga said. “I don’t think that should be a problem for my 10 kids if they wrestle smart and to their potential. This weekend and next weekend we will see if our tough schedule has paid off.”
Tommy McCormick (113), Terry White (120), Sean McCormick (145), Jack Swisher (152), Matt Goings (160) and Ben Dooley (220) captured the No. 1 seed for the regional tournament while Kobe Abe (285) will be a No. 2 seed. Chase Hyde (182) enters as the No. 3 seed, and Mason Smith (126) and Conley Hyde (170) will be around the No. 4 seed range.
De Braga is looking to Smith having a bounce-back weekend after wrestling ill last week.
“Mason didn’t wrestle to his potential this weekend while battling sickness and lost matches he should never lose, so that’s going to hurt for seeding his week in Truckee,” de Braga said.
Like last year, Fallon will have to rely on its own performances to make another run toward the state title.
Fallon defeated Dayton (60-6), Elko (42-33), Fernley (49-21), South Tahoe (54-24), Sparks (54-17 and Truckee (60-12) but lost to Spring Creek (39-30) and Lowry (49-27).
Although Fallon lost to Spring Creek, the Greenwave won seven of the 10 matches. The same held true against Lowry but Fallon didn’t perform well against Elko despite the victory.
“Going in I knew Lowry, Elko and Spring Creek would be tough with full lineups,” de Braga said. “There were a few disappointing matches this weekend but that’s the nature of the sport.
“After the duals, I can’t say I was too pleased. I see these kids each day at practice and every weekend wrestling top notch competition, so losing some of the matches we did, really confuses me because I know their capabilities and potential.”
The regional tournament is Friday and Saturday at Truckee, followed by state next weekend at Spanish Springs.
