Three Vandal wrestlers qualify for state

The Eureka County High School boys wrestling team will send three wrestlers to the NIAA State Championships after competing in the Northern 2A Regionals in Lovelock, Feb. 6-7. The Vandals finished sixth out of 14 teams, as Pershing County ran away with the regional team title.

ECHS junior Preston Auch won the 175-pound weight class, going 3-0 with two pinfall victories and a 10-0 major decision over Coral Academy’s Devin Salsby in the championship bout.

Sophomore Lian Allred took second at 106 pounds, going 1-1 with a pinfall victory over Wells’ Ayden Rodriguez in 3:20. Qualifying with a third-place finish at 132 pounds was junior Thomas Schweble, who went 3-1 with three pinfall victories. Schweble rebounded from a second-round loss to win his next two matches and make the consolation final.

Nicholas Bliss will serve as a state alternate if a 190-pound qualifier is unable to compete. He won two of four matches — one by pinfall and another by major decision. 

Auch, Allred and Schweble will all compete at the NIAA State Wrestling Championships starting Friday, Feb. 13 at noon in Winnemucca.