GSL Wrestling

Outlook

The race should be between the Mead Panthers and Central Valley Bears. Every other team is either too young, inexperienced, or not deep enough. “CV may be the best dual team, Mead may be the best tournament team,” Panthers coach Phil McLean said. Former Bears coach and Hall of Fame college coach John Owen returns for his second go-around at CV.

Returning state placers

Mead returns state champions Jordan and Chandler Rogers, both of whom made big splashes nationally, and Jeremy Golding. Jordan, an Oklahoma State signee, and Golding are seeking third straight titles. All but one wrestler returns in the other 11 weights. … The Panthers were third in State 4A last year, perhaps an injury away of the team title, and will chase Lake Stevens at state. Seven state qualifiers return, including Sam Voigtlander (third). … The Bears were fourth last year and are led this year by sophomore Colton Orrino, second at 119 last year. … Other returning State 4A placers are Chris Douglas of Rogers and Tanner Rogers, CV. Placers back in 3A are Terrance McKinney, Shadle Park, and Mitchell Bocook, North Central. … University, second in State 3A, is starting over. Seniors who propelled U-Hi to a second-place finish have graduated. Had Ryan Gabel not been legislated out of the tournament for a disputed medical skin issue, the Titans could have won their third state title. Gabel is back. … NC was fifth in state last year and Shadle Park seventh.

What they’re saying

“We have a solid crew from bottom to top with good depth in many weights,” McLean said. That’s the case even though two varsity wrestlers moved away. “We lost Seth Regalado to an ACL injury in the last football game,” McLean said. “James Volz injured his toe in the last game, but he should be back in five weeks.” … “We lost a starter at 106 and Carson Graham with a shoulder injury,” John Owen said. “But I’m very pleased with the senior leadership.” … “We have a strong Titan tradition, but it’s a building year,” U-Hi coach Don Owen said. … “We should be a good team, but we have to wait and see,” Mt. Spokane coach Travis Hughes said. … Shadle Park has nine starters back for coach Shawn Howard. “This is a new year with new challenges,” Howard said. “Our goal is to do better each and every year.” … NC is young. “Our biggest strength is our freshman class,” said coach Luke Leifer, who expects five to be in the starting lineup. “It’s not a huge class, but we have some incoming wrestlers with a lot of mat time.”… Ferris is inexperienced. Rogers and Lewis and Clark are being rebuilt by second-year coaches.