Spring Valley eyes next step

Winning breeds winning.

It might be cliche, but the phrase definitely holds true, especially when it comes to the area's top wrestling teams.

Just look at Cimarron-Memorial, which has won six state team titles since 1999, including a streak of four in a row from 2003 to 2006. Or Mojave, which won its first state title last season after building on a strong showing in 2006.

"It's basically getting consistency in the program," Cimarron coach Mike Garcia said. "It builds on itself and maintains itself, almost."

Spring Valley coach Fred Meyer has seen the Cimarrons and Mojaves feed on past successes. Now he hopes his Grizzlies are able to take that next step to compete with the elite teams after winning the Southwest Division last season.

"Cimarron's going to be very good; they've got it going," Meyer said. "And once you've got it going, it just kind of perpetuates as long as you continue to be a passionate and dedicated coach."

One conversation with Meyer and you know he's passionate about wrestling.

"I'm always trying to promote this sport of wrestling," Meyer said. "It's been good to me in my life."

He said he thinks his team is capable of competing with Mojave and Cimarron for Sunset Region and state supremacy.

"They won a championship last year and are hoping to challenge for bigger and better things this year," Meyer said. "We want to challenge for the region and challenge for the state tournament. The kids are ready."

They'll need to be to compete with Mojave and Cimarron in the Sunset. The Rattlers return seven wrestlers who placed in the top three at state last season, led by defending 189-pound champ Reggie Powers, the 2007 Review-Journal Class 4A wrestler of the year.

First-year coach Colin Wilson said that postseason experience will serve his team well this season.

"Two years ago when we took second (at state), it was pretty obvious that the experience, or lack of, was the reason for it," Wilson said. "As we gained experience last year, we were able to go ahead and take state. And I think these boys will have what it takes to do it again."

Cimarron, second to Mojave last season, will rely on defending state champions Nicholas Harris and Britain Longmire. Robert Atwood and Brogan Ashjian also are coming off top-four finishes last season.

"That's going to be the key for us," Garcia said. "Those three or four guys are going to have to come through for us, and we kind of think it may happen."

While Mojave, Cimarron and Spring Valley battle for Sunset supremacy, Las Vegas will try to keep a streak alive in the Sunrise.

The Wildcats have won seven straight Sunrise Region crowns but don't return any state placers from last year's team. Las Vegas will rely on Sunrise champs Jon Garcia and Hugo Carrillo as they attempt to hold off Green Valley in the region.

Contact Prep Sports Editor Damon Seiters at dseiters@reviewjournal.com or (702) 380-4587.