Carson wrestling sets goal to win state

Tyson Thivierge is used to success, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that he's set the bar as high as possible for one of Northern Nevada's successful programs.

"Our No. 1 goal is to win state," said the new Carson High wrestling coach. "That was established the first day of practice. Every time we step on the mat, we've got to be thinking about a state title."

Thivierge, in his first job ever as a head coach, and the Senators got off to a good start in achieving their lofty goal as they won a dual with Douglas at CHS on Wednesday. Thivierge also likes how hard his team is working.

"These kids have absolutely gone above and beyond my expecatations with the work ethic," he said.

Thivierge comes to Carson from Clarkston, Wash. He was a four-time All-American in wrestling at the NAIA school Montana State-Northern from 1999-2002.

He also served as an assistant coach at Tennessee-Chattanooga under Olympic Bronze medalist Perry Brands. Under their tutelage, the program sent five wrestlers to the NCAA Division I Championships, the most in school history.

"I love Carson," said Thivierge, who looks young enough to be one of the high school wrestlers himself. "I love the fact it's snowing in November."

Thivierge has a strong nucleus of veterans and freshmen to work with as the Carson Bulldogs Wrestling Club continues to be a strong feeder program for CHS.

At 103 pounds will be one of those Bulldogs, freshman Nick Schlager, a talented athlete, who was a member of the Carson varsity boys cross country team. At 112 pounds will be Owen Craugh, a two-time state qualifier.

Craugh didn't really have a weight class he could wrestle at last year, but should be one of the top Senators this year and is coming off an impressive summer in USA Wrestling Junior Olympic action.

At 119 is Todd Banko, who took third at last year's NIAA 4A State Championships. For now, Brian Halverson and Brandon Bigler are competing at 125.

At 130 is senior Robbie Bozin, a three-time state qualifier. Bozin could drop down to 125.

Kyle Banko, who suffered a knee injury during football season, was cleared this week and opened with a win against Douglas. Banko, who took second at last year's state event, will wrestle at 135. Derek Guirlani is also at 135.

Adam Carmazzi, a past state qualifier, won at 140 for Carson against Douglas and could also see action at 145. Freshman Luke Carter is at 140 as well.

Aaron Jolcover wrestled at 152 against Douglas and could see action at 145. Brett Allen wrestled at 145 against Douglas.

Martin Azzam won at 160 against Douglas and could drop down as well. There are three freshmen who could also see action at 152: Anthony Torkeo, William Flores and Junior Valaderez.

Senior Travis Lamborn, who has took third at three straight state events, will look to finally break through for a state title this year. Lamborn is wrestling at 171 for now, but is expected to move down to 160.

Others who could wrestle at 171 are Stephen Reimer, who wrestled at 189 against Douglas, Austin Garza or Jay Chun. Garrett Truesdale, who won at 215 against Douglas, could drop to 189 and Trent Simpson, who won at heavyweight against Douglas, could drop to 215. In addition, Max Schadek could wrestle at heavyweight.

Carson also has freshmen Justin Barlow and Josh Barham at 189. "He's a horse," said Thivierge about Barlow. "He just needs to get some technique. He's a big boy."

For the first time this year, two of Northern Nevada's top programs will face each other as Fallon will travel to Carson to face CHS in a dual on Jan. 17.

"That's something I wanted to set up right away," Thivierge said. "I jumped all over that opportunity.

"They've got a great program. I want to face the very toughest programs I can. That will be a tough one for us."

Actually, Carson and Fallon could face each other twice this season, with the first meeting coming as soon as Saturday in the Capital City Duals at CHS.

The two teams could face each other in the championship match in the eight-team dual event. Fallon is in one pool with Douglas, North Valleys and Reno High.

But Carson will have a tough match right off the bat as it will take on Galena at 9 a.m. Also in Carson's pool are Spanish Springs and Wooster.

The first place team from each pool will take on the second place team from each pool in the semifinals at 1:30 p.m. with the winners facing off in the championship match at 3 p.m.