Fernley boys wrestlers place 3rd at State; girls place 13th
Robert Perea, The Fernley Reporter
Camron McMackin and Nathan Pritchard won individual championships as Fernley High School’s wrestling teams capped off a strong season at the State Wrestling Championships last weekend in Bullhead City, Ariz.
Pritchard, a sophomore, won his first state title at 132 pounds.
“Nate was a state runner up last year so this was definitely a goal of his and I am happy for him,” coach Jake McCullar said. “Nate had an amazing season. He lead this team in wins this year with 55 and is only seven wins away from joining the 100 win club.”
McMackin, a senior captain, won his first state championship at 106 pounds.
“Camron has won two state runner-up championships, so I was really happy he was able to secure that state title. Camron will defiantly be missed in the room, he was always a mainstay in the varsity lineup at 106 pounds.”
McMackin finishes his high school career with a total of 113 wins.
Brodie Jones, a sophomore won 27 matches for the year and medaled third at state at 150 pounds. “Brodie was by far our most improved wrestler this year,” McCullar said. I expect big things out of Brodie moving forward, maybe even future team captain.”
Riley McCullar, a sophomore, won 55 matches this year and reached the 100 win club for this program. He finished second at state at 144 pounds.
“Riley had another amazing year,” Jake McCullar said. “Riley came just short of his ultimate goal of winning a state title but lost in the finals. I was really proud of Riley’s season and this will make him stronger moving forward.”
McCullar said the boys team hit their stride at the end of the year by winning third at the state tournament and runner up at the Northern regional tournament.
“The strength of this program is definitely in the underclassman,” he said. “Only one of our state qualifiers is a senior. Expectations for this team are through the roof for next year.”
For the girls, team captain Shaylee Gavin medaled fourth, as did Nadera Muhammad.
“Ladies capped off a great season finishing 13th as a team,” McCullar said. “It is not easy for the girls as they have to wrestle in a combined bracket of all divisions. Shaylee is a senior and will definitely be missed in the room. Shaylee amassed over 50 wins for the program, a true class act.”
Overall, McCullar said the wrestlers capped off an amazing wrestling season last weekend.
“I am very proud of this team, the way they showed up and competed this weekend left me speechless,” he said. “This program is doing things and reaching new heights that have not been accomplished at Fernley in a long time. A tradition and an expectation moving forward has definitely been established.”
