Going 3-1 at Canyon State Academy in conference duals earlier in the week, the Falcon wrestling squad hit the road over the weekend to take part in the Coolidge Lions Club Wrestling Invitational, taking second place overall with Peter Carillo nabbing the crown in the 195 class.

Competition continues this weekend with yet another two-day tournament for the Falcon grapplers.

The local boys will take part in the Payson Invitational this Friday and Saturday, Jan. 17-18.

Regular competition will resume next Wednesday, Jan. 22, with a 4 p.m. match-up at the Saint Johns multi.

Canyon State

The Falcon wrestling squad began its busy week last Wednesday, Jan. 8, with a series of four conference duals hosted out of Canyon State Academy, going 3-1 on the evening and bringing the team’s season total to an impressive 10-2.

The Falcons kicked things off with a close loss to St. Johns at 47-36 before squeaking past Snowflake by an even tighter difference of 42-39.

It was a downhill coast from there as the Falcons handily bested Imagine Prep 78-0 before going on to topple Canyon State Academy, 66-12.

Head coach Luke Salzman said he’s happy to see his team continue to wrestle well in the New Year, something he hopes to see continue as the team edges closer and closer to the post-season.

“Our younger wrestlers are starting to wrestle with more confidence and really get after it right away,” Salzman said.

“Our veterans continue to come through and get the job done.”

Going 4-0 on the night were Tony Boulanger at 106, Jordan Smout at 113 and Jack Reilly at 138. Also having a perfect night with four pins was Josh Vaught at 152, with Kawika Reid getting three pins and a forfeit for his 4-0 performance at 182. Peter Carillo went 4-0 at 195 with two pins.

After such a big night, Salzman said the Falcons are feeling confident about their late-season prospects.

“Snowflake and St. Johns are not only two of the better schools in our section, but they are two of the best in our division,” he added.

“Tonight showed that we can compete against anyone in our division.”

Coolidge Invite

The Falcons decided to push that point even further over the weekend, taking part in the two-day Coolidge Lions Club Wrestling Invitational Friday and Saturday.

A total of 14 schools from across the state showed up to compete in this combination team dual/individual tournament. When all was said and done, the Falcons shined on both levels.

“As a team we took second place overall, bringing home a nice trophy,” Salzman said.

“We went 6-0 in our pool, eventually losing to a very tough Williams Field team in the championship.”

On their way to the finals, the Falcons beat squads from Valley Christian, Casa Grande, Union, Vista Grande, Higley San Tan Foothills and San Manuel.

“It was a lot of fun competing in this team dual,” Salzman added.

“We won some close matches and some close duals. The kids really bought into it and it was exciting.”

While the team was busy claiming a second place trophy, seven Falcons also qualified for the individual tournament based on their performances in the dual meets.

Quinn Amick and Connor Burk finished sixth in the tournament with Skyler Anselmo taking fifth.

Nick Kuhlmann placed fourth while Jack Reilly and Kawika Reid both made it to the finals, eventually taking second place overall.

Peter Carillo was the Falcons’ sole individual champion, taking first place overall in the 195 group after going 9-0 on the day.

“We really saw a lot of improvement this weekend,” Salzman said of his team.

“I was very happy how we wrestled as a team and how the boys are wrestling individually at this time in the season.”