Carson wrestling strong at Las Vegas

After a lackluster effort against Damonte Ranch, the Carson High wrestling team should feel much better about itself after its performance in the first day of the Las Vegas Tournament.

But the Senators also know there's more work today. It was a much different Senator team at Las Vegas on Friday than the one that lost to Damonte on Wednesday.

Ten of Carson's 11 wrestlers won at least one match on Friday in the event that's featuring 59 teams from all over the Western United States. Seven Senators are still alive and five still have a shot at winning a title:

Owen Craugh (112 pounds), Todd Banko (119), Robbie Bozin (125), Kyle Banko (130) and Travis Lamborn (160). All went 3-0 to advance to the quarterfinals.

Martin Azzam went 3-1 at 152 and is still alive with a chance to finish as high as third. While Derek Guilani was 0-2 at 135, he was allowed to continue to wrestle in the hard luck bracket as he received two tough draws.

In the team standings, Carson is 16th with 87 points and fifth among Nevada schools. CHS is within striking range of finishing as the top Nevada school as it trails Green Valley (12th, 99), Fallon (11th, 99.8), Las Vegas (ninth, 102) and Palo Verde (seventh, 108). Four-time defending state champion Cimarron-Memorial and Mojave aren't in the event.

"Very much so," said Carson coach Tyson Thivierge when asked if he was pleased with his team's effort. "We turned out to be an excellent tournament team. They're doing a great job of stepping up and supporting each other.

"This is a great experience for them. Nobody looked flat. It was wonderful. They stepped up. Every time they take the mat they're ready to wrestle."

Carson's performance was made more impressive by the fact that they're short three wrestlers as it doesn't have a competitor at 171, 215 or heavyweight.

Also for Carson Nick Schlager went 2-2 at 103, Adam Carmazzi went 3-2 at 140, Aaron Jolcover went 1-2 at 152 and Garrett Truesdell went 2-2 at 189.

"I'd like to get to six and like to pull ahead of all the Nevada teams," said Thivierge about where he would like his team to finish. "That would be ideal."