Cimarron-Memorial adds to its dynasty at state championship

By Sean Ammerman (contact)

Sunday, Feb. 15, 2009 | 3:05 a.m.

Cimarron-Memorial added to its wrestling dynasty Saturday night at the Winnemucca Events Center, winning its seventh large-school state title in the past decade.

The Spartans scored 132 points in the two-day tournament, beating out second place Las Vegas High, which finished with 100 points.

Las Vegas led by 10 points going into the final day of the tournament, but Cimarron bounced back with strong performances in the consolation brackets.

"They never quit and it was a true team effort," Cimarron coach Tim Jeffries said. "They just showed up today prepared. This was as good as a performance we have ever had in the state championships."

The Spartans had eight of its nine wrestlers earn points by placing in the top four of their weight divisions, including two overall champions.

Cimarron senior Travis DeGroat took home his second state title after defeating Clark's Jakob Payton 9-3 in the 130 pound finals.

His teammate, Britain Longmire, won his third consecutive title with an 11-4 decision against Las Vegas' Brett Sampson in the 119 pound finals.

"This season we had a lot of ups and downs," Longmire said. "But when it came down to it, we always came through. This has got to be the most memorable finals for me because I knew we were going to get the team title."

Jeffries said the state championship, Cimarron's first since 2006, was among the most exciting his team has won.

After taking third overall last year, Jeffries said anything less than title would have made the nine hour trip to Winnemucca a disappointment.

For Las Vegas, which has won nine consecutive Sunrise Region titles but no state titles, the tournament was a letdown.

The Wildcats had six of its wrestlers place, but only 285-pounder Madison Hales won a state title.

"Second place is a disappointment, but it was a good showing for us," Las Vegas coach Aric Thomas said.

Bishop Manogue was the top Northern Nevada school – taking third with 54 points.

Bishop Gorman, which had only two state qualifiers, took a surprising fourth place with 47 points.

Gorman juniors Steven Hernandez and Johnny Field each won state titles at 145 pounds and 171 pounds, respectively.

"We never would have thought we would have done well as a team with just two wrestlers," Field said. "When we heard on the loud speakers that we took fourth, it was a shock."

Hernandez was arguably the most dominating wrestler at the tournament, winning all three of his matches by pin.

He is now has a 9-0 career record in the state finals with three straight championships and all of his wins coming by pin.

"I'm always going in looking for the pin and that game plan has worked well so far," Hernandez said. "It has been a goal of mine since I was a little kid to win four state titles. To have won three with all pins is just a cherry on top of it all"

In the 3A finals, also held Saturday in Winnemucca, Lowry High ran away with the title, netting 221.5 points.

Spring Creek was second with 170.5 points.

Boulder City was the top Southern Nevada school, placing third 110 points.

The Eagles' Allen Haines won at 130 pounds after pinning all three of his opponents.

Sean Ammerman can be reached at 990-2661 or sean.ammerman@hbcpub.com.