Palo Verde scores big victories in wrestling, girls soccer action

Spencer Patterson

Monday, Feb. 11, 2002 | 10:41 a.m.

A consistent contender in most sports since joining Southern Nevada's varsity ranks four years ago, the Palo Verde Panthers enjoyed one of the finest days in their short history on Saturday.

The Summerlin school captured its first regional wrestling team title, posting a hard-fought 5.5-point victory over second-place Centennial in the 4A Sunset meet at Bonanza.

Meanwhile, farther north, the Panthers pulled off a stunning upset in the 4A Sunset Region Girls Soccer Tournament, ousting No. 1 seed Bishop Gorman from the event with a 1-0 victory at the Bettye Wilson Soccer Complex.

Palo Verde's wrestling win was not secured until the two-day tournament's penultimate championship match, when 215-pounder Ryan Worthen pinned Bonanza's Mike White. Trailing by half a point at the time, the Panthers moved in front for a 210-205.5 triumph over the Bulldogs.

"It was a little too close for my comfort," Palo Verde coach Kris Davis said. "But if we're close, I always believe our kids can come through at the end of the tournament as they have before."

Along with Ryan Worthen, Rusty Worthen (171) and Tyree Walton (125) also came away with individual titles for the Panthers, who qualified 12 wrestlers for this weekend's 4A state meet.

"The confidence level in the kids has grown in leaps and bounds this season," Davis said. "All 12 kids finished in the top four (in their weight class), and that helps since we won't see those No. 1 seeds (from the other regions) right out of the chute."

As expected, defending state champion Las Vegas High dominated the 4A Sunrise Region meet, holding off second-place Rancho 251-228.5 for the team trophy and qualifying all 13 of its individuals for the state meet the Wildcats will host this Friday and Saturday.

Las Vegas grapplers Josh Gaskins (140), Russell Duke (145), Evan Ellsworth (160), Chris Gifford (171) and Greg Gifford (189) won individual titles.

The Panthers' soccer win over the Gaels ended a string that saw Gorman eliminate Palo Verde in each of its three previous playoff games.

"Every year we've qualified, they've knocked us out," Panthers coach Marc Hechter said. "This was payback time."

Freshman Kayla Lambert tallied the game's lone goal late in the first half, taking a pass from Marissa Lucero and beating Gorman keeper Danielle Ghaffari. Palo Verde's defense did the rest, fending off a furious second-half push by the Gaels.

Other first-round Sunset soccer winners were: Bonanza, Durango and Centennial. All four top seeds -- Green Valley, Eldorado, Foothill and Chaparral -- won in the Sunrise event. Play resumes Tuesday, with championship matches on Saturday.