Fallon junior Sam Goings, back, shoots for his second straight wrestling title today and Saturday at the Division I-A state tournament in Winnemucca.
Their eyes are squarely set on back-to-back state titles.
Senior David Hughes and junior Sam Goings lead the way for the Fallon wrestling team at today and Saturday’s Division I-A state tournament at the Winnemucca Events Center. Today’s action starts at 1 p.m. and at 9 a.m. on Saturday.
In addition to Hughes and Goings, the Greenwave take another eight grapplers to state.
“We are hoping they do well,” Fallon coach Louie Mori said. “We all know what the kids need at this point, so we are just trying to give them pointers.”
Goings and Hughes, though, are primed for another championship as each enters hsi respective weight class as the No. 1 seed.
Goings (160 pounds) is in his third straight state tournament, shooting for another title after losing in the championship bout two years ago as a freshman but rebounding with the title last year.
His focus, though, is squarely set on his opening-round bout against Sterling Walker of Cheyenne.
Goings’ practice regiment has been one of refining his mistakes, drilling and film study.
“The first match is just as important as the last one,” Goings said. “I found things I did wrong and I just work on those everyday.”
Hughes’ appearance is his fourth during his career at Fallon. He lost in the final twice, 2012-13 at 132 and 138 pounds, respectively, before winning last year’s 160 title.
Hughes (170) opens the tournament against Clark’s Robert Hearn (6-6), but all signs appear to point to a showdown between the Fallon senior and Faith Lutheran’s Willaim Bigelow, who went 7-0 in league action.
“I’m feeling pretty confident on it’s going to end up,” Hughes said. “I’ve watched tape on him and it seems like I know what he’s going to do.”
The biggest difference between this season and last year for Goings and Hughes, though, is they have the target on their back. Both have made their names throughout the state, but must overcome the intensity of each match to reach their goal of consecutive state titles.
“I don’t think about it too much,” Hughes said. “I just wrestle the match as it is. I will be wrestling for the state championship, but I’m not focusing on that (the target).”
Joining Hughes and Goings in a quest for a state title are Mason Smith (113), Dylan McAfee (120), Jack Swisher (138), Jordan Schultz (145), Matt Goings (152), Juan Ledesma (182), Wyatt Hampton (220) and Robbie Schostag (285).
Swisher and Schultz each took second at the regional meet and also aim for the top spot on the podium. Both are No. 2 seeds with a tough slate ahead.
Swisher’s road, though, will be difficult as, with a first-round over Tyler Rushworth of Boulder City, he may face Owen Lawrie of Faith Lutheran. Lawrie was undefeated in league action with a 10-0 record.
Should Swisher navigate through Lawrie, he will mostly likely face Spring Creek’s Sheldon Davis, a two-time state champ and three-time finalist. It would also be a rematch of the regional final, which Davis won.
Still, will all the roadblocks, Swisher is confident in his skills and preparation.
“I got some tough guys in my bracket,” he said. “I’ve been working hard the whole offseason. If I just work my stuff, wrestle smart I’ll be good. I don’t have anything to lose, I’m just a sophomore.”
Schultz, meanwhile, was stunned in a 14-5 loss to Lowry’s Nate Nelson in the regional final. Like Swisher, Schultz also faces a tough road as he opens with Eric Awa-Moppert of Desert Pines, who sports a 10-1 record.
With a win, Schultz’s path will likely turn to Western’s Luis Lopez, the south’s No. 1 seed.
Nevertheless, Schultz is also confident in his skills during his turnaround season.
“I’ve been watching film constantly and just been focusing on what I did wrong in that last finals match,” he said. “I have to go out and be aggressive and not be stupid. I want to go out with a bang.”
Minus the top foursome, Fallon’s other state qualifiers have a tough hill to climb. All are seeded fourth, meaning they will take on the south’s No. 1.
Although the odds may be stacked against them, Mori said if his wrestlers believe in their moves, skills and abilities, several upsets could be in the cards.
“Several of them have a great chance,” Mori said. “Mason could beat two out of three. Wyatt is just a couple seconds from beating the No. 1 seed (from the north). It’s just a matter of getting heart at the right time … and wrestling their best.”