Carson wrestling caps undeafted league season at South Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE " Carson coach Tim McCarthy wrapped up another undefeated league season on Wednesday as the Senators defeated South Tahoe 50-21 at STHS. Carson, which went 15-0 during the regular season under McCarthy in 2002, enters the Northern 4A regional tournament with a 7-0 league mark, while the Vikings finish the league season 2-5.

"We knew we already had the league title, but we really wanted to go undefeated," said McCarthy, whose team is 11-1 in overall dual meets this season. "It was important for the kids to go undefeated."

Carson jumped out to a 17-0 lead before South Tahoe's 145-pounder Paul Hubbell pinned Brett Allen in the first period to make it 17-6. The Senators then forfeited the 152-pound match, giving the Vikings hope by trailing just 17-12.

"That was a great way for Paul to go out on senior night," said South Tahoe coach Ken Robbins. "That's probably not how he dreamed it up because he was struggling for a while. But that's what is so great about this sport. It's not over until it's over. You can be down the entire time and still win."

The Vikings' chances of spoiling the Senators' undefeated league mark was dashed quickly as Carson reeled off four consecutive victories and surged to an insurmountable 41-12 advantage. South Tahoe's Jon Fago't (heavyweight), who was making his return from a sprained ankle, and Tyler Nesbitt (152 pounds) both won by forfeit.

One of the more entertaining matches was at 103 pounds, with the Vikings' Cody Shindelbower and Patrick Craugh battling to the final second. Craugh pulled out a 2-0 decision between two regional hopefuls.

"If Cody would've wrestled his best and lost 2-0, then maybe there would've been some disappointment," Robbins said. "But he knows there are some things he can do next time."

At 119 pounds, South Tahoe's Cameron Cason posted a 9-4 overtime victory over Ricky Ugarte after they battled to a 4-4 score at the end of regulation.

The Senators, who forfeited three weight classes, will be one of the favorites to win the regional tournament Feb. 6-7 at Spanish Springs High School in Sparks.

"Like a lot of teams this time of year, we're a little dinged up and gave up weights we usually don't," McCarthy said. "We'd have to wrestle awfully well to win the regional title, but it's certainly possible and we're probably one of four or five teams that can do it."

Also for Carson, Nick Schlager (125 pounds) won his match 20-5, while Austin Brown (112), Adam Welch (130), Junior Valladares (160) and Justin Steele (215) pinned their opponents.