Douglas High’s Caine Klein works for control of Damonte Ranch’s Michael Kiker in the second round of the consolation at this past weekend’s Class 5A state wrestling tournament.
Tony Erquiaga / NNG
Douglas High wrestling was able to leave the state tournament in Winnemucca with some hardware last weekend, getting two fourth-place results.
On the boys side, it was Aaron Tekansik earning a spot on the podium to finish off his junior season.
The 190-pounder won his opening round match by 4-1 decision before falling by pin in the quarterfinals.
Once in the consolation, Tekansik went on a roll, taking his next two matches by fall in less than six minutes combined.
A 5-2 decision win over Daniel Lunday of Basic secured his spot on the podium and put Tekansik in the third place match.
The moment gets even bigger for Tekansik, who missed his sophomore season with injury.
“Aaron has just battled all season for this moment,” said Douglas High coach Jake Fair. “He’s been anxiously wanting to be on the mat. … It was just a great overall job for the season and way to top it off at the state tournament.”
Douglas senior Jaxon Nixon was able to make it into the consolation semifinals in his final season, just missing out on a podium finish.
All three of Nixon’s wins at the state tournament came via pin.
“Jaxon was bound and determined to make it to the medal round,” said Fair. “He started to put together a string of wins in the consolation. Today, he shot and shot but just couldn’t seem to take that guy down in the consolation semifinal.”
Tiger junior Michael White, who was third at regionals, lost by an 8-3 decision in the opening round before taking his next two matches in the consolation.
“He had to battle back. Last year at the state tournament, he went two and out,” said Fair. “This year he was able to put a lot more together. He put together some really fine matches.”
At 120 pounds, Jacob Lewis was able to pick up a win by fall to go 1-2 in his state tournament.
Fellow 120-pounder Cody Highfill did the same, finishing 1-2 with a decision win over Lewis in the consolation.
All the other Tiger boys bowed out after two losses.
Kavanagh makes school history
Douglas freshman Ella Kavanagh completed a historic season, becoming the first Douglas High girls wrestler to medal at the state tournament.
Kavanagh took a similar route to Tekansik, bouncing back from a quarterfinal loss to run through the consolation bracket.
Kavanagh was forced to forfeit her third-place match due to a shoulder injury, but it didn’t stop the coaching staff from giving the freshman plenty of praise.
Kavanagh actually battled through the shoulder injury to get a pin in the consolation semifinal and get on the podium.
“When it came down to it, it was just too much,” said Fair. “That young lady, unbeknownst, had battled flu-like symptoms all week. She did an amazing job. To know what she overcame this week was amazing and making history for Douglas.”
Sophomore Bliss Moody went 1-2, opening up with a 14-13 decision win in the first round before falling in her next two matches.
“The passion for this sport runs deep in these kids and it’s beautiful to watch,” said Fair in concluding the season.