Palo Verde wrestling team beats Gorman without key heavyweights

By Christopher Drexel

Thursday, Dec. 11, 2008 | 6:46 p.m.

With both their schools' football teams advancing deep in the playoffs, neither the Palo Verde nor Bishop Gorman wrestling teams have competed with a full lineup this season.

But that didn't stop the two from having a spirited dual Dec. 2 at Bishop Gorman. In the end, it was Palo Verde which edged out the Gaels, 39-36 in the season opener for both schools.

"It was highly unlikely that we would beat them, but it was something the kids went out and made happen," Palo Verde coach Scott Nemchek said. "They were ecstatic about it. It's a great feeling for a young team to best a team that finished fifth at state last year."

The Panthers were without 215-pound senior David Castro Jr. and 189-pound sophomore Doug Stoltz, both of whom were competing for the football team in the state championship game Saturday.

Gorman was missing 215-pound sophomore Jordan Welte and senior heavyweight Miles Langston.

"I thought both teams wrestled well," Gorman coach John Field said. "In my mind there were only two matches that could have gone either way and they won one and we won one. It was some good wrestling."

Both teams also competed in the Green Valley Duals on Dec. 6.

Gorman went 4-2 in the event to up its record to 4-3 on the season. The Gaels have three competitors off to perfect 7-0 records, including 145-pound junior Steven Hernandez, 119-pound junior Ricky Hernandez and 171-pound junior Johnny Field.

Palo Verde finished 1-4 in the tournament before losing to Basic (41-31) and Bonanza (40-36) on Dec. 9 to drop to 2-6.

Junior heavyweight Brian Baird is off to a 7-1 start for the Panthers.

Christopher Drexel can be reached at 990-8929 or [email protected].