Columnist Spencer Patterson: Work continues for top wrestlers at MGM event

Spencer Patterson

Thursday, April 12, 2001 | 10:14 a.m.

Spencer Patterson covers prep sports for the Sun. Reach him at 259-4085 or spencer@lasvegassun.com

Though he's proud of his recently completed unbeaten state championship season, Las Vegas High wrestler Greg Gifford knows his performance at this week's Western Junior Regionals may have a more long-lasting impact on his future.

If he hopes to follow in the footsteps of older brother Eddie -- now a sophomore at Fresno State -- and earn a college scholarship, Gifford knows he must impress scouts in attendance at the MGM Grand Garden Arena today and Friday.

That's why Gifford didn't waste any time beginning his off-season regimen after capturing Nevada's 171-pound title in February.

"I took a week off and went right back to work," said Gifford, who went 42-0 during the 2000-01 season. "I have to go out and keep wrestling well."

Gifford will be one of more than 20 local prep wrestlers competing in the two-day freestyle portion of the nation's largest annual regional event, which runs from 1-10 p.m. today and continues at 9 a.m. Friday. He will be joined by younger brother Chris, as well as Centennial's Angelo Antuna, Silverado's Michael Castle, Cheyenne's Chris Davy, Basic's David Ochoa and Western's Jose Pineda.

Eddie Gifford will compete in the U.S. Freestyle Nationals, as will Silverado graduate Tom Cass, now a junior at Duke.

Clovis (Calif.) went 11-0 to capture the 60-team Las Vegas Easter Invitational boys volleyball tournament Tuesday. Host Chaparral finished 9-3 in the event...

Garces (Calif.) reeled off four victories to claim the trophy at Durango's adidas Invitational baseball tournament. The Trailblazers' Danny Kahr took home Tuesday's home run title, blasting five dingers, including shots from both sides of the plate...

Basic's baseball team won its first three games in San Diego's prestigious Mike Morrow Lion's Invitational to earn a spot in the "classic division" semifinals today. The Wolves squared off with Elko Grove (Calif.) today at 10 a.m. with a berth in the title game at stake.