November 30, 2006 in Sports

GSL Preview Wrestling

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Titanic lineup

Having a healthy Brian Owen and the addition of Anthony Rivera, a transfer from East Valley, will help U-Hi in the lower weights. Watch for sophomore Casey Olson, who steps up to 130 pounds, to benefit from working against both Owen and Rivera in practice. Senior 140-pounder Elliott Nay was fifth at regionals a year ago.

Class of the 3As

The East Valley Knights will be solid, but the loss of three returning state placers – Rivera to U-Hi, state finalist Bryce Fisher to Utah and Shelby Lawson, who decided to not compete this season – hurts. Junior Clete Hanson was a state finalist at 171, but is coming off a broken leg suffered in football. The team’s experience is in the upper weights, where the Knights return three regional veterans in addition to Hanson.

Bone to pick

Central Valley’s Bears are solid and, given their cross-district rivalry with U-Hi – the Battle of the Bone – may be the team with the best shot to knock off the Titans. Tanner Teeples and state champ Nick Cambron make will wrestle at 112 and 119, respectively, with regional qualifiers Chase Ferrozzo at 125 and Jeff Croskrey at 145. Moses Lake transfer Jake Newman steps in at 189.

Competitive neighbors

Mead has a wealth of wrestlers with postseason experience, including the top returning heavyweight in senior Mike Magee and regional 112-pound fifth-placer in junior Phillip Smith. In addition, Mead returns multiple district placers at 103 and 171. Mt. Spokane’s Wildcats return senior state placer Noah Hatton, who was seventh at 145 and regional heavyweight placer Joe Lindse, and should be strong in the middle weights.

Strength in numbers?

Shadle Park’s Highlanders have big numbers to work with. Coach Dusty Roberts welcomed 70 wrestlers when practice started, including 25 freshmen. Only senior Blaine Shippy, who placed fifth at regionals at 130, is a returning district or regional placer.

Around the league

The Ferris Saxons are experienced, returning the bulk of last year’s team, but last year’s postseason experience graduated. Ferris should be a solid dual meet team. … North Central returns junior Scott Simchuk and senior Mike Pursel, both regional placers a year ago, and add Thomas Montague, who transferred back from Lewis and Clark. … Gonzaga Prep’s Bullpups have a good senior nucleus, led by state placer Jon Healy at 145. The challenge will be in finding a wrestler for every weight class. … LC’s Tigers have a great 1-2 punch in state placers Trevor Powell and Anthony Varnell. The challenge will be in filling out a full lineup. Multiple forfeits at hard-to-fill weights might be inevitable. … Rogers’ Pirates have nine varsity wrestlers back from a year ago, including district placer Bryan Clark at 171. For the first time in several years, coach Shawn Carney has numbers to work with.

Returning state placers

Nick Cambron, senior, CV – champion at State 4A 103 pounds.

Brian Owen, junior, U-Hi – State 4A 103 champion as a freshman, runner-up at 112 as a sophomore wrestling with a broken vertebra.

Anthony Rivera, senior, U-Hi – second at 3A 112 while competing at East Valley.

Trevor Powell, senior, LC – third at 4A 125

Anthony Varnell, senior, LC – fourth at 4A 140.

Jon Healy, senior, G-Prep – fifth at 4A 145.

Noah Hatton, senior, Mt. Spokane – seventh at 4A 145.

Clete Hanson, junior, EV – second at 3A 171.

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