The Boulder City High School wrestling team worked hard in the off-season to prepare for the 2016-2017 school year, and their efforts have paid off well in early season victories.
Returning Head Coach Jim Cox is excited about the season, and looking forward to what his young men will be able to accomplish.
“We should do very well this year,” Cox said. “We are planning on enjoying it, and pushing ourselves at every practice and match!”
The grapplers had their first matches at their annual Boulder City Invitational on December 3rd.
“The guys have been wrestling so well at the beginning of the season,” Cox added. “I have such a great group of guys this year, and I am really excited. I cannot wait to see how far we can go!”
The Eagles recently defeated Palo Verde 55-20, Liberty 60-9, Laughlin 84-0, Chaparral 74-0, Pahrump 66-9 and Virgin Valley 55-20.
How’s that for some dominant performances? No wonder Coach Cox is so excited about the season!
“That was such an awesome weekend for the guys, Cox said. “It was so much fun!”
Coach Cox will be relying on seniors Brian Foster, James Brown, Devin Fox, and Dillon Viera to be his team leaders this year; and motivate the other wrestlers throughout the season.
“We would not be doing as well as we are without all the hard work and efforts of my assistant coaches,” Coach Cox stated. “They put in so much time for the boys and are molding them into great wrestlers. I cannot thank them enough!”
The Assistant Coaches are Allen Haines and Brandon Foster. Coach Cox has a great group of volunteers who help whenever they can: Chris Leavitt, Jack Dunagan, Kyle Gossard and Matt Brown.
“Most of these guys are good wrestlers and teachers,” Cox noted. “Some of them have wrestled for me in the past, and they know what it takes to be successful on and off the mat.”
Every week the team has wrestle-offs to see who will be competing in matches at every weight class, and the action can get very intense.
The current starters by weight class for Coach Cox are: freshman Curtis Brown (106 lb. weight class), junior Garrett Leavitt (113), junior Zayne Dennington (120), Douglas Reese (126), James Brown (132), freshman Ladd Cox (138), senior Johnathan Oliver (145), senior Octavian Trumbo (152), Dillon Viera (160), Brian Foster (170), Jin Takahashi (182), sophomore Ryan Vanario (195), senior Devin Fox (220) and sophomore Michael Kaposta (235/Heavyweight).
“Seniors Brian Foster, Devin Fox, Jimmy Brown and Dillon Viera have taken on the leadership role for me this season,” Cox stated. “I can always count on them to do the right thing, and help the younger wrestlers. They are making a difference this year, and I appreciate all their hard work!”
The other members of the 2016-2017 Eagles wrestling team are juniors Wyatt Harling, Robert Pavlowski and Jp Valenzuela; sophomores Thorsten Balmer, Kenon Cowley, James Dunagan, Kegan Howe and Hayden Moore; and freshmen Joseph and Justin Bonar, Daryl Cowley, Jason Krumm, Henry Marino Jenicke, Daniel Pate and Christopher Pavlowski.
“The guys have been working so hard,” Cox added. “I am fortunate to have such a great group of young men this season!”
The wrestlers have three sets of home matches in January that we encourage you to attend to show your support and enjoy some great wrestling: Virgin Valley on the 4th, Liberty on the 20th and SECTA on the 31st.
The 2017 Regional Wrestling Championships are February 14th to 18th, and the 2017 State Wrestling Championships are February 23rd to 25th.
“We are planning on enjoying this season as a team,” Coach Cox said. “We are having such a good time so far, and I hope it continues as we compete against the rest of the league!”
Hopefully, we will see the Eagles wrestle in both championship tournaments and bring home plenty of gold for Boulder City! Go Eagles! |
