Two down, one to go.
Greenwave athletics have an opportunity to go for a sweep of state titles this year after capturing the football crown in the fall and wrestling championship in the winter. Next up is the final season – spring – when Fallon has been the most successful since relocating to the Division I-A.
Both the baseball and softball teams won state last year and should contend once again in 2016 for the state’s top prize.
Lester de Braga’s baseball squad avenged a state championship loss two years ago against Faith Lutheran by knocking off the Crusaders in Las Vegas last year. While Fallon has a few new faces this season, it will still be the team to beat, along with Elko. Expect another Elko-Fallon battle for first place.
On the other diamond, Bill Archer stepped down after leading the Lady Wave to a state title over Fernley. Tammie Shemenski takes over and will have most of last year’s team back as Fallon aims for another state title. Like the baseball squad’s feud with Elko, the softball team has developed a rivalry with Fernley as all but one of the titles since 2011 has featured both teams in the championship.
The track and field teams will be competitive in the region although both the boys and girls are young. But both are full of talent this year and the Greenwave will surprise a few teams, especially in the regional meet.
Don’t forget about swimming and boys golf this year. Although swimming hasn’t won a state team title, Fallon’s been able to qualify individuals for the state meet. Boys golf, on the other hand, has won two state titles in the last 10 years, including the 2011 championship when Fallon crowned four team champs in the spring.
This spring will be a fun conclusion to the 2015-2016 school year and Fallon has a chance to end the year by winning state championships in all three seasons.
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College basketball is on the brink of going mad.
While the conference tournaments wrap up this weekend, we’re already seeing a trend of how the Big Dance will fare, beginning next week. Of the 12 conference tournament champions through Wednesday, only one No. 1 seed went the distance. An under-.500 Holy Cross won the Patriot League tournament. The madness has begun for some conferences.
And don’t forget the Big Sky tournament championship is Saturday night at the Reno Events Center where the winner goes to the NCAA Tournament.
The last time Reno has been the site of an NCAA tournament team berth was 10 years ago when Nevada beat Utah State in overtime for the WAC title. Ironically, Nevada was upset in the classic No. 5 vs. No. 12 match-up by a Big Sky team – Montana.
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The Greenwave wrestling team will get its state championship parade on Monday when it meets at the downtown fountain at 4:45 p.m.
The team, which won its first-ever state title last month in Primm, will head to the Venturacci Gym to be honored. Cake will be served.
Thomas Ranson can be contacted at lvnsports@yahoo.com.