FALLON - First-year Carson wrestling coach Tyson Thivierge had a feeling the championship round of the Stockman's/Wilkens Memorial Tournament would be the toughest his team encountered this season.
Both the Senators and Fallon locked up in a classic dual match for the tournament's first-place trophy Saturday, which the host Greenwave won, 37-36.
"Mitch (Overlie) has a great squad. What you saw here were two very tough squads," Thivierge said.
Carson may have had a shot at winning the 17th annual tournament, but three forfeits hurt the Senators. However, Thivierge said both teams should be at full strength when they meet again in mid-January in Carson City.
"Both teams haven't seen their potential," Overlie said.
The eighth-year coach said both teams should be stronger when they meet again. Fallon, though, turned its program around in one week after finishing sixth at the Capital City Duals.
"It shows you how hard work will take you from sixth to first," Overlie said.
The entire match was close. Fallon needed to win at 103 pounds to have a shot of winning its second straight Wilkens Tournament.
Colin Merkley and Carson's Nick Schlager wrestled to a 2-2 score in the first period after Merkley scored a reversal. Both wrestlers began the second round in the up position, and after some maneuvering, Merkley took Schlager down and tried to roll the Carson grappler on his back.
Merkley was in the down position to start the third round, but he started accumulating points on a reversal and near fall, but Schlager had a reversal near the end of the match.
Merkley pulled out a 6-4 decision.
"It was tough. He (Schlager) was heavier and stronger than me. He was a good wrestler," Merkley said.
Down 13 points, Carson's Owen Craugh pinned John Gregory (112) and the Senators' Todd Banko also had a first-round pin against Sam Anderson (119).
Fallon spotted Carson a 12-0 lead to begin the match.
Robbie Bozin (13) had a 4-1 lead before he pinned Fallon's Cody Kappahn. Kyle Banko took 25 seconds to defeat Anthony Woller by pin.
The Greenwave evened the scored after the 140- and 145-pound bouts. Trent de Braga pinned Adam Carmazzi in 35 seconds, and Tyler Reibsamen rolled Brett Allen on his back and cradled him for a first-round pin with 33 seconds left.
Trevor de Braga, who was undefeated at the Capital City Duals, stayed perfect by pinning Aaron Jolcover at 152 pounds, and Ryan McCormick scored a 10-1 major decision at 160 pounds against Martin Azzam.
Carson had two pins before forfeiting a pair of bouts at 215 and heavyweight.
Travis Lamborn (171) and Garret Truesdell (189) pinned Fallon's Tyler Diaz and Zack Hicks, respectively.