By MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
Like any first-year team, Sharyland Pioneer’s boys wrestling has had times where its youth and inexperience show. But, thanks in part to its sister school, those moments are few and far between.
As a result of the split, Pioneer landed three Sharyland High wrestlers who have played huge roles in laying the foundation for the program. They’ve posted a 9-6 record in dual meets, including a third-place finish at the 5A district dual championship at Corpus Christi Moody.
As they have all season, junior Parrin Corner (195-pound weight class), senior Mark Faucette (170) and sophomore Matthew Faucette (113) carried the load on Saturday, while freshman Dominique Rodriguez (160) continued to impress.
And if not for the way the bracket was set up, Pioneer coach Richard Eckley feels his team probably could have done even better.
“But I can’t be too upset with a third-place finish,” he said. “The kids have more than exceeded expectations.”
They’ve done it with those four wrestlers recording pins on a regular basis to make up for any losses their younger teammates might incur.
Mark Faucette, for example, is having a stellar year, posting a 22-2 individual record. His only losses have come at the hands of 6A competition. Where his contribution is most felt, however, is with his 18 pins. Rather than earning four points for a decision or five points for a major decision, he’s helped give his team six points each time he pins an opponent.
Given the makeup of his team, Eckley said, “You’ve got to get the pins.”
Even though Pioneer has 20 boys to fill out 14 weight classes — a solid turnout, especially for a first-year program, this late in the season — it generally has a void in the 126 and 138 classes, forcing it to forfeit those points in dual meets. That’s where pins come in handy.
“What I’m most proud of with this team is the effort,” Eckley said. “The improvement doesn’t come without the effort. They come in and work hard during practice and then they go to the mat. Their lack of wrestling experience might show up, but we don’t get out-hustled. We could make up for that lack of experience because of the effort this season.”
GROUP EFFORT
Mission Veterans coach Ben Yzaguire prefers individual competition to dual meets, at least with his girls team. It’s no surprise, really, considering the Lady Patriots don’t have the type of numbers this season to fill out every weight class.
But on Saturday that wasn’t the hindrance Yzaguire anticipated it would be. They landed a first-round bye before beating PSJA High, Edinburg Vela and Rio Grande City, respectively, to secure the District 16-5A dual title.
For a coach that prefers one-on-one competition in wrestling, Yzaguire struggled to find a single out any one of his wrestlers Saturday.
“It being a team competition, it came down to points,” he said. “If I were to have to designate who the MVP was, I couldn’t. They all contributed in one way or another.”
Even Leslie Alaniz, who lost against Edinburg Vela, made her impact felt. Losing by decision (four points) rather than pin (six points) helped save Mission Veterans two points. That was the margin of victory against Vela. Without that, the Lady Patriots would have had to break the tie somehow, putting their chances of reaching the championship in jeopardy.
“Everything fell into place,” Yzaguirre said. “Just proud of my girls.”
STEPPING STONE
Grulla coach Oscar Ozuna was encouraged by his girls team’s third-place finish at the district dual tournament on Saturday. For one, the Lady Gators came in third for a third straight meet — this after being on the outside looking in for most of the season.
And also, given the competition in 16-5A, he believes his team should be well-prepared for the district championship next week.
“It’s really a huge step for these girls,” Ozuna said. “Anybody here in this district could win state. We’ve had it happen in the past.
“I know other teams around here, they hate not winning. They hate coming in third or second. But I’m happy with it because all my girls are getting the experience. I can’t be more proud of them than I was this weekend. It’s a stepping stone for us.”