Carson wrestling captures fifth in Orangevale tourney

Nevada Appeal Staff Report

Junior Valladares led a strong performance by the Carson Senators wrestling team, notching a first-place finish in the 160-pound division of Saturday's Marty Manges Invitational in Orangevale, Calif.

Valladares was one of seven placers for Carson, which finished fifth as a team in the 24-team tournament, which was won by Woodcreek.

Senators coach Tim McCarthy said Valladares " who also plays on the CHS football team " is a stronger wrestler since dropping down from 171 pounds.

"It's the first time he's wrestling there (160). It's a big difference," McCarthy said. "He was saying these kids felt a lot lighter. He just dominated today.

"One-sixty is definitely a better weight for him. The kids at 171 " especially here in California " are huge. They make Junior look small.

Carson's lightest wrestler, sophomore Pat Craugh, placed second in the 103-pound division.

McCarthy said Craugh wrestled exceptionally well in his semifinal match.

"He was down by a few points and he put his guy on his back with a few seconds to go," McCarthy said of Craugh. "He had the guy in a head-and-arm (hold). He's been wrestling for 10 years. He has a lot of experience under his belt.

"He's had a lot of freestyle wrestling. We were hoping he'd do a little better in the finals. But he's got two seconds in his last two tournaments. It's a good sign."

Craugh also placed second in the Green & Gold Tournament Dec. 13, in Novato, Calif.

Freshman Bryce Landolt was another bright spot for the Senators, placing fourth in the 135-pound division.

"Bryce is real tough on top," McCarthy said. "We need to work with him on bottom wrestling " getting free, escaping and reversing. He needs to drill more on bottom wrestling. But he's a tough rider " especially for a freshman."

Ricky Ugarte (119 pounds), Adam Welch (125) and Justin Barlow (heavyweight) each placed fifth for the Senators, and Will Flores (215) placed eighth.

Barlow, who usually competes at 215, moved up for the tournament, allowing Flores to supply an extra body for the team.

Carson will next field a 12-man squad for the 96-team Sierra Nevada Classic, which will be held Dec. 29-30 at the Reno Livestock Events Center.

"We're a young team. We're not unrealistic. I don't see us as a top 10 team " especially with (junior 125-pounder Nick) Schalger being out," McCarthy said of the SNC.

Schalger broke a finger during the Capitol City Classic.

"We did well, but " I guess it's just perspective " a coach and I were talking about the things we really need to get done in practice," McCarthy said. "We had a good day, not a great day."