Fernley wrestlers place third at Vaquero Classic

Robert Perea, The Fernley Reporter

Eight individual wrestlers made the medal rounds, including five in championship matches, as the Fernley High School wrestling team finished third in last weekend’s Walter Marietta Vaquero Classic.

The Vaqueros scored 193.5 team points to place third. Lowry won the meet with 235.5 points, while Battle Mountain was second with 198.5.

“I thought they did extremely well,” said assistant coach Tony Wilson, who led the team because head coach Ernie Garcia was sick and unable to attend. “We had eight wrestlers wrestle for a medal at the home tournament, which is phenomenal. Five of those eight wrestlers wrestled in the finals for first and second which is the best we’ve done at a tournament this far.”

Setriano Piroddi was the lone Fernley wrestler to win his championship match, beating Axel Gonzalez of Lovelock 14-3 in the championship match.

Brodie Garrett (106 pounds), Jared Caulk (145), Jackson Chapin (152) and Carter Chapin (170) each placed second. Kyle Jones (138) and Alec Carr (heavyweight) each placed fifth, with heavyweight Dominic Reyes finishing sixth.

“After talking with the other coaches, we all feel like the entire team is starting to peak at the right time as we head into divisional duals and the zone tournament,” Wilson said. “The entire team is practicing better as we go further into the season.

Wilson said the wrestlers all seem to be striving for the goals they have set for themselves.

“I know that all the coaches are extremely proud of this team and where the program is headed,” he said.

This weekend the Vaqueros are scheduled to compete in the Divisional Duals in Spring Creek, which will be used to help seed the wrestlers in each weight class from the Region Championship meet, which Fernley will host Feb. 1-2.