Post by Alumni on Feb 2, 2007 10:07:32 GMT -5
Pekar and Wallace regional favorites
By Jeremy Evans
South Tahoe High seniors Elliot Pekar and Miles Wallace and freshman Tyler Slater are officially state tournament hopefuls after being awarded the Sierra League's top seeds for the Northern 4A regional wrestling tournament on Friday and Saturday at Hug High in Reno.
With the top three wrestlers in each weight class advancing to next week's 4A state tournament, coach Ken Robbins believes a handful of Vikings could qualify for state. The last STHS wrestler to make state was Mike Crouse (2005).
"If the guys catch fire and wrestle like they wrestled me this week, we could get five guys to state," Robbins said. "That would be incredible. Without a doubt, though, Miles and Elliot would be disappointed if they don't get there. In fact, both of those guys are looking beyond this weekend and getting state medals next week."
The bracket couldn't be set up any better.
At 145 pounds, Pekar dominated all of his league opponents, though one of his losses this season was to Galena's Eric Wilcoxson, who is the High Desert League's top seed and a possible final opponent. At 189 pounds, Wallace's only test in the Sierra League was Douglas' Sean Molina (No. 2 seed) and is expected to receive little resistance from the High Desert League's top four seeds.
Both Pekar and Wallace have lost in the third-fourth place match the last two seasons, coming up one place shy of a state tournament berth. They are determined not to let it happen again.
"They've done everything they can do to get prepared for this tournament, and they couldn't be in a better position," Robbins said. "That's kind of what they've shown the other kids this week. Elliot and Miles know what it takes and they've been unsuccessful at this tournament before. Some of the other guys might not fully understand how difficult this tournament is."
Slater, who edged Damonte Ranch's Spencer O'Neal for the league's top seed, is one of those wrestlers Robbins is trying to make understand the minefield that is the regional tournament. The 103-pound weight class is one of the deepest, and Robbins believes it would be a major accomplishment if Slater advances to state.
"This is just Tyler's first year. He will need to have the matches of his life to break into the top three," Robbins said. "The kids on the other side he might be facing in the quarterfinals are very good wrestlers."
Other state tournament hopefuls are Myles Lopez (119 pounds), Lee Williams (135 pounds), Chris Ewing (215 pounds) and Jon f*go't (heavyweight). Lopez is seeded third, Ewing fourth and f*go't fourth.
The 4A state tournament is Saturday, Feb. 10 at Spanish Springs High School in Sparks.
By Jeremy Evans
South Tahoe High seniors Elliot Pekar and Miles Wallace and freshman Tyler Slater are officially state tournament hopefuls after being awarded the Sierra League's top seeds for the Northern 4A regional wrestling tournament on Friday and Saturday at Hug High in Reno.
With the top three wrestlers in each weight class advancing to next week's 4A state tournament, coach Ken Robbins believes a handful of Vikings could qualify for state. The last STHS wrestler to make state was Mike Crouse (2005).
"If the guys catch fire and wrestle like they wrestled me this week, we could get five guys to state," Robbins said. "That would be incredible. Without a doubt, though, Miles and Elliot would be disappointed if they don't get there. In fact, both of those guys are looking beyond this weekend and getting state medals next week."
The bracket couldn't be set up any better.
At 145 pounds, Pekar dominated all of his league opponents, though one of his losses this season was to Galena's Eric Wilcoxson, who is the High Desert League's top seed and a possible final opponent. At 189 pounds, Wallace's only test in the Sierra League was Douglas' Sean Molina (No. 2 seed) and is expected to receive little resistance from the High Desert League's top four seeds.
Both Pekar and Wallace have lost in the third-fourth place match the last two seasons, coming up one place shy of a state tournament berth. They are determined not to let it happen again.
"They've done everything they can do to get prepared for this tournament, and they couldn't be in a better position," Robbins said. "That's kind of what they've shown the other kids this week. Elliot and Miles know what it takes and they've been unsuccessful at this tournament before. Some of the other guys might not fully understand how difficult this tournament is."
Slater, who edged Damonte Ranch's Spencer O'Neal for the league's top seed, is one of those wrestlers Robbins is trying to make understand the minefield that is the regional tournament. The 103-pound weight class is one of the deepest, and Robbins believes it would be a major accomplishment if Slater advances to state.
"This is just Tyler's first year. He will need to have the matches of his life to break into the top three," Robbins said. "The kids on the other side he might be facing in the quarterfinals are very good wrestlers."
Other state tournament hopefuls are Myles Lopez (119 pounds), Lee Williams (135 pounds), Chris Ewing (215 pounds) and Jon f*go't (heavyweight). Lopez is seeded third, Ewing fourth and f*go't fourth.
The 4A state tournament is Saturday, Feb. 10 at Spanish Springs High School in Sparks.