Vandal wrestlers head to regionals this weekend

Eureka wrestlers were at the league duals in Battle Mountain Jan. 25-26 to decide the seeding for the Northern Regionals this weekend in Lovelock.

Coach Jeremy Auch said the boys did “not too bad for themselves. James “Quaid” Filippini (132), Garrett Todd (145), Preston Hubbard (152) and Chris Drayton (160) will all be the No. 3 seed. We just don’t know where Ivan Pickard (126) will fit in as it depends on how many wrestlers will be in his weight class.”

In the meantime, Wyatt Anderson (138) will be a No. 2 seed, as he lost to Dante Reviglio (Yerington), the defending 2A state champion.

Just before regionals, on Jan. 23, the Vandals participated in the Independence Duals in Elko with Battle Mountain, Owyhee, Wells and Independence.

In the dual with Battle Mountain, the Longhorns prevailed 52-18. Anderson and Todd were the only winners for Eureka. Anderson pinned Michael Malone (Battle Mountain), and Todd won by forfeit.

In the match with Independence, the Vandals outscored the Colts 36-18 then outpointed Owyhee 36-12. Ivan Pickard (132) pinned Rhiannon Manuelito and Todd pinned Dalen Thomas in the Independence match.

Against Wells, Eureka won that meet 21-9. Filippini beat Morgan Johnson by fall, Anderson pinned Enrique Aguilar, but Pickard and Preston Hubbard (152) both lost their matches by fall.

Auch said, “Some of our wrestlers are not doing as well in a given match as they should, not giving 100 percent the entire time. They get into a match and get comfortable and settle instead of keep going, so they will need to take a better mindset into the regional matches. That first match will be critical.”

From the Regional tournament, the top four in each weight will advance to the state tournament Feb. 8-9 in Winnemucca to meet up with the top four from the Southern Regional Tournament also taking place this weekend at Indian Springs.