Younger wrestlers contribute to improved team

By Jack Carrerow

bonanza sports editor

Citing the performance of his junior wrestlers, Highlanders coach Jeremy Reichert said the team was improving with each meet.

The Highlanders finished third at the Rite of Passage Duals Tuesday in Yerington.

"(Juniors) Cody Parker, Kyle Bradshaw and Matt Behrens only lost two matches between them," Reichert said. "Having them come out after the seniors is a relief because I can count on them now to produce much needed wins."

Reichert said that he feels his seniors are finally "clicking on all cylinders" as Kyle Rachlin, Tyler Wilkins and Arturo Fragoso all stand out in the competitions.

"They've each been wrestling for seven years and have so much knowledge of the sport," Reichert said. "They were all undefeated this past weekend and all very impressive in those wins."

Individual Highlander stat leaders against Sierra Ridge High School were Fragoso, Bradshaw and Behrens with one takedown each. Behrens recorded the fastest pin at 1:19 during the opening period.

Against Silver Stage, Fragoso, Rachlin, Bradshaw and Behrens each recorded one takedown, while Rachlin had one near-fall 2 and Fragoso had five near-fall 3s.

Fragoso also registered 17 match points.

Freshman Dakota Grant was impressive in his win over his Yerington opponent, Reichert said.

"It was his first ever varsity win," Reichert said. "Dakota and the other freshmen are far behind the upper-classmen in ability, but they have a relentless dedication and fortitude in their dedication to equal the feats of the older wrestlers."

Next up for the Highlander is the Sierra Nevada Classic which will feature 94 teams from all over the country at the Lawlor Events Center in Reno next week.

"This will be our toughest task of the year," Reichert said. "But I firmly believe that Arturo (Fragoso), Kyle (Rachlin) and Tyler (Wilkins) will find themselves on the medal stand before it's all over."

Sports Editor Jack Carrerow can be reached at (775) 831-4666 ext. 119 or at jcarrerow@tahoebonanza.com