Las Vegas’ Aniciete brothers prevail to wrestling repeat

SPARKS -- For the Aniciete brothers, wrestling at Las Vegas High School is a passion.

That's why, after every practice, Napoleon and Alex Aniciete led a youth wrestling camp they established.

"This sport has brought them so much," their father, Joey, said. "The youth team just shows how they are willing to give back for what the sport has done for them."

The Aniciete brothers gave back to their community Saturday as both won individual championships and Las Vegas won the Class 4A state championship for a second consecutive year at Spanish Springs High School.

"Our kids are some of the hardest-working kids I've known," said Las Vegas coach Greg Gifford, who can boast of two state championships in two years of coaching.

The Wildcats finished with 103½ points. Green Valley was second with 88, and Palo Verde tied McQueen for third with 66.

Alex Aniciete, a sophomore, won the 135-pound title with a 13-3 decision over Arbor View's Brandon Brian. Napoleon, a senior, defeated Spring Valley's Ray Waters, 7-1, at 152 to win his third state championship.

Napoleon missed a chance for four titles because he had to miss his sophomore season after transferring from Bishop Gorman.

"I had to go out a champion," he said. "There was no other way."

Las Vegas had a third champion in 119-pounder Nathan Garcia, who defeated Spanish Springs' Curtis Lampert, 6-3.

After not being able to compete in the championships last year, Green Valley's Ryder Newman defeated Cheyenne's Kenny Pero 10-7 to win the 145-pound title.

Newman, a sophomore, had to sit out last year after transferring to rejoin Green Valley's wrestling program, in which he has competed since he was 5.

"Last year was tough, but this is worth it," Newman said.

Zach Perry also won a championship for Green Valley, pinning De'Armon Hall of Las Vegas in 5:25 to win at 125 pounds.

Cimarron 112-pounder Bronson Ashjian won 6-4 in the sudden-victory period against McQueen's Joseph Deleon.

Silverado heavyweight Seth Bohman gained redemption for fourth-place finishes in the past two years, pinning Rancho's Angel Gomez in 2:27.

The 4A North finished with six of the top 12 teams. Of the North's placers, 16 wrestlers finished in the top three of 14 weight classes.