3A WRESTLING: Boulder City grabs big lead after first day

Boulder City coach Jim Cox knew exactly where to find updates of the Class 3A Southern Region wrestling tournament Friday.

But the constant need for information on the internet — popularized by millennials — just isn’t his style.

“I wasn’t paying attention,” Cox said about the online leaderboard.

He didn’t need to, as his Eagles ran away with a lead after the tournament’s first day at Western High.

Boulder City sent 16 of its 18 wrestlers to the semifinals and scored 117 points to grab a lead on the first day. Virgin Valley sits in second place with 76 points, ahead of Mojave (68), Moapa Valley (50) and Desert Pines (48).

“I think we did good,” Cox said. “Now I’m just watching our body language and making sure everybody is doing what they’re supposed to be doing. … We’re just focused on the things we can control. We’re being in the moment right now, and not worrying about who we got (or) other teams. We’ve just got to control our stuff.”

The Eagles, who will be seeking their first region title since 2013, hope there won’t be a repeat of last season’s region tournament. Boulder City held a 17-point lead after the first day, but fell short to a surging Mojave.

“We’ve got our own mindset and we’re just going to worry about our (matches),” Cox said. “That’s it. That’s all we’re going to do. We’re not worried about Mojave. We’re just about controlling ourselves.”

Hayden Moore (138 pounds), Jin Takahashi (160) and Brian Foster (170) each won two matches to lead Boulder City. All three wrestlers recorded a major decision and pin to advance to Saturday’s semifinals.

Foster might have had the most impressive day. The senior won a 12-3 major decision in the opening round before recording a first-period pin in the quarterfinals.

Two-time state winners Ty Smith (120) and Jacob Baird (132) led Virgin Valley. Smith won two matches by fall, including a 21-second pin in the opener.

Mojave senior Don Phillips (182), who won at region and state last season, won both of his matches by fall on Friday. In the first round, he pinned his opponent in eight seconds.

“My goal for tomorrow is to just keep pinning kids and come in first,” Phillips said. “And just focus on going to state. … I might (make it), I might not. But at this rate, I might.”

Del Sol senior Victor Torres-Parra (182), also a state winner from last year, pinned his two opponents on the day.

Wrestling continues at 10 a.m. on Saturday, with the finals scheduled for 3:30 p.m.

— —

Class 3A

Southern Region Meet

At Western

Friday’s First-Day Results

Boulder City 117, Virgin Valley 76, Mojave 68, Moapa Valley 50, Desert Pines 48, Chaparral 47, Cheyenne 46, Pahrump Valley 38, Del Sol 33, Sunrise Mountain 16, Western 16

Championship quarterfinals

106–Cannon, VV, p. Cowley, BC, 3:42; C. Brown, BC, p. D’Luna, Moj, 2:47; Woods, VV, p. Cunanan, Chey, 0:53; Cervantes, MV, p. Gomez, DP 5:10. 113–Leavitt, BC, p. Vigilia, Wes, 2:29; Gonzalez, DP, p. Leavitt, MV, 3:37; Mota, Moj, p. Gonzalez, Chey, 1:12; Ortega, Wes, d. Pinto, VV, 7-2. 120–Dennington, BC, p. Navas, Wes, 3:32; R. Buchanan, Chey, p. German, 1:09; Shive, Chap, p. Lojero, Moj, 1:57; Smith, VV, p. Partrana, DP, 1:42. 126–Reese, BC, p. Awa-Moppert, DP, 0:37; Monzon, Chey, received a bye; Childs, Moj, p. Adams, PV, 2:47; Hernandez, DS, d. Coronado, Wes, 15-4. 132–Baird, VV, p. Wilson, Chey, 3:19; Anderson, MV, p. Salas, Moj, 5:53; Grossell, PV, d. Abarra, Chap, 10-9; J. Brown, BC, p. Agabin, Chey, 1:34. 138–Riordan, MV, p. Moran, DP, 2:20; Moore, BC, p. Abbott, VV, 5:25; Williams, Chap, won by forfeit; Cox, BC, d. Federson, Chey, 6-2. 145–Trumbo, BC, p. Brinson, DP, 1:05; Kortue, DS, d. Diaz, PV, 10-2; Rivera, Wes, p. Escoto, Chap, 3:19; Rodgers, Moj, p. Redd, 3:38. 152–Dunagan, BC, p. Mayhugh, DP, 1:25; Moeia, VV, p. Brown, Moj, 3:11; Henrie, MV, d. Walker, Wes, 13-1; Riley, PV, p. Salas, 0:56. 160–Van Vliet, MV, p. Stinson, Chey, 2:31; Takahashi, BC, d. Cooper, DS, 13-4; Santiago, DP, p. Lobos, Chap, 1:09; Viera, BC, d. Pinzon, PV, 6-0. 170–Crandall, VV, p. Rendon-Lopez, DP, 1:43; Ruiz, Chap, p. Johnson, Moj, 3:41; T. Buchanan, Chey, p. Raya, Chap, 0:43; Foster, BC, p. Peugh, PV, 1:11. 182–Burnside, VV, p. Moreno, SM, 1:34; Nelson, Chap, d. Monje, PV, 11-4; Harling, BC, d. Winbush, Moj, 5-2; Torres-Parra, DS, p. Jackson, Chey, 2:00. 195–Vanario, BC, p. Junor, SM, 1:54; Albertson, PV, p. Valenzuela, DS, 3:38; Salazar, Moj, p. Hernandez, Chap, 0:46; Abbott, VV, p. Guadalupe, 3:32. 220–Fox, BC, p. Zarate, SM, 2:47; Lewis, Chey, p. Lytle, DS, 2:11; Phillips, Moj, p. Guadarrama, Chey, 1:40; Orellana, SM, d. Landis, PV, 3-1. 285–Payne, VV d. Lara, SM, 2-1; Parra, Moj, received a bye; Howard, DP, p. Franz, Chey, 6:29, OT; Kaposta, BC, d. Palacios, 6-4, OT.