Still not at full strength, the Carson High wrestling team got some clutch performances from some unexpected wrestlers in a 45-33 win at South Tahoe on Wednesday.
"We bounced around some kids," Carson coach Tyson Thivierge said. "We're still fighting some injuries and illness."
Todd Banko (125 pounds), Robbie Bozin (130), Adam Carmazzi (135), Aaron Jolcover (140) and Travis Lamborn (160) all won by pin for Carson. Martin Azzam (152) also won 8-1 and Owen Craugh (112) and Matt Heath (171) won by forfeit.
Carmazzi and Jolcover were among those who came through in the clutch for the Senators. Jolcover's win clinced the match for Carson, giving the Senators a 45-27 lead.
"He knew the situation we were in," Thivierge said. "He did what he needed to do for the team. Aaron really took the wind out of their sails."
About Carmazzi, Thivierge said, "this is the most aggressive I've seen him wrestle all year."
The match also marked the return of Banko, who wrestled for the first time since suffering an elbow injury last month at the Las Vegas Tournament. Banko won by pin in about 30 seconds.
"He looked pretty solid," Thivierge said. "it was a fairly quick pin. He looked hungry and he he looked pretty fresh. That was good to see."
Among the wrestlers Carson was still without was Kyle Banko, who's out with an infection. Thivierge said he doesn't know if Banko will be able to wrestle on Saturday in the Rosemont Invitational in Sacramento, but hopes to have him back for this Wednesday's showdown against Fallon at CHS.
"We've got our fingers crossed that we're at full strength," said Thivierge about the Fallon match. "I really think we're starting to peak at the right time."