The end is near for Greenwave athletics.
Fallon wraps up the spring season this weekend to conclude a successful school year as the baseball, softball, track and field, and swim teams compete in the state tournament.
The baseball and softball squads are looking to repeat as state champs as the baseball team will play at Galena and Manogue and the softball team will play at Shadow Mountain and the University of Nevada. Travel south on Interstate 580 and the track and field team will try to place many individuals and relay teams in the top four in Carson. And on the other end of the state, several swimmers will battle at UNLV.
It’s been one of the most successful years in Greenwave sports as at least one team qualified for state in each of the three seasons.
The football team won state in the follow and the wrestling team followed with its first-ever title during the winter. The girls basketball team had a strong year but fell short in the state tournament in Reno. The spring, though, has been Fallon’s strongest season since it dropped down to the Division I-A in 2011.
The Lady Wave has won four state softball titles, including the last two. The Greenwave baseball team won its second state title last year against powerhouse Faith Lutheran after knocking off Boulder City five years ago for its first title since the 1970s. The golf team, which placed sixth at state on Wednesday, won the state crown in 2011 as did the boys track and field team. The boys team also won a second title recently.
While the swim and girls track and field teams haven’t won a state team title, the Lady Wave is inching closer to erasing that drought. The swim team placed second in the regional and sent several to this year’s state competition. The girls track and field team will be a force next year as only one senior moves on. Fallon should make some noise this weekend in Carson as it possesses one of the best jumpers in the state.
Take your pick this weekend, though. You cannot go wrong as the Greenwave stands strong chances in all three sports.
The Lady Wave softball team will no doubt meet Fernley at least once in the state tournament after the Vaqueros knocked off Fallon for the regional title. But lately, that regional plaque has meant nothing. Fallon won state without the regional hardware last year and Fernley did the same in 2013. Fallon began its defense Thursday at Shadow Mountain where it will play today.
The Greenwave baseball team might have a tougher road to retaining the state title. But, the team is healthy, especially the pitching staff, which saved Fallon’s season in sweeping Fernley in the regional tournament to qualify for state. Fallon played at Galena on Thursday and will resume action today at the south Reno school.
Carson City will welcome all four state track meets today and Saturday. Fallon might have the points to battle for a team title, but it should have an impressive showing individually. Fallon will contend for a top-four place and depending on the circumstances, it could crown several champs.
Meanwhile in Las Vegas, both the boys and girls swim teams will compete for a top finish at UNLV.
It’s going to be one memorable weekend for Greenwave athletics to conclude another successful year.
Thomas Ranson can be contacted at lvnsports@yahoo.com.