Maynes Mr. Consistent at Central Valley

Throughout a four-year wrestling career at Central Valley that was filled with coaching change, Jarod Maynes has remained remarkably consistent. Maynes is wrestling for his fourth head coach since debuting on varsity as a freshman. Despite the uncertainty, he has carved out a sterling career that so far includes three top-four state finishes with a chance to become just the second Bears four-time Mat Classic placer. He began under coaching legend John Owen at CV, taking third at 103 pounds that initial season. In his fourth year Maynes wrestles for Owen’s son Tommy. Thursday the Bears, in the Battle of the Bone against rival and fellow unbeaten University, seek a Greater Spokane League championship which Maynes was a part of back in 2008. In-between, Maynes’ coaches were Rick Giampietri, aided by four-time CV state and NCAA placer Shane Cunanan, and Doug Pecha. Under them, Maynes placed third and fourth at state at 112 pounds. “I don’t think it’s been a hindrance,” said Maynes of the coaching changes. “All four are really good coaches. I loved them all and got a little something out of each of them. John was a super technician. Shane worked with me a lot. Coach G and Doug really got my confidence going and I got the philosophy of wrestling.” One of the GSL’s toughest little guys his entire career, Maynes is a three-time district finalist and two-time regional champ. Over four years he placed in the top five 14 of 16 times during four major invitational meets. He’s twice been weight class champion in three – Missoula’s Jug Beck Rocky Mountain Classic and the local Inland Empire and Pacific Northwest Classic tournaments. At the Tri State Tournament in Coeur d’Alene he finished second, third and fourth. “He’s not the most flashy kid in the world,” said Tommy Owen. “But he wears you down. He keeps coming at you despite the score.” CV’s new coach has emphasized the basics and mental toughness, which in turn has resulted in even more success. “What I like about Tommy,” Maynes said, “is he puts in our minds we’re the toughest ones out there.” He also allowed Maynes to forget strict weight management and this year, though wrestling at 125 pounds and as high 130 pounds, he’s had the same results as his previous years. “Tommy just said I don’t need to cut as much,” Maynes said. “I’m wrestling fat and happy.” Owen was a four-time state finalist at U-Hi, three-time champion and collegiate wrestler. He talked about how coming up just short at state – Maynes twice reached the semifinals before losing and bouncing back, also was beaten in the quarterfinals and took the long route to third – can be the worst feeling to have and create doubt. Maynes, however, is remarkably content when discussing his career. As a freshman, “I definitely was surprised to get there,” he said of his first third-place finish. “I did not expect to get that far at all. It was cool.” His second straight third-place effort, after losing in the second round, was also satisfying, he said, because he moved up a weight to 112 for post-season after cutting weight became too difficult. “I was planning the whole year to be 103 so I was actually surprised,” Maynes said. “I didn’t think I’d do as good, it was a pretty big jump.” Last year’s loss to U-Hi’s Tyler Clark in the match for third and fourth was the one tinged with regret. If there has been another constant during the coaching carrousel, it has been this rivalry of two successful wrestlers. He estimates the two have battled back and forth 20 times since youth wrestling – roughly a dozen during the first three years of high school – with each winning his share. This year, however, they are separated by two weights and won’t wage the post-season wars of the past. “That kind of burns a little bit,” the affable Maynes said. “It seems like he got the last laugh.” Still, there is a lot of season left and loftier goals to reach beginning tonight for a young man who took up wrestling when he failed to make an AAU basketball team. “All my friends were on the team, but I was too short and got left out,” Maynes said. “I got a (junior wrestling) flyer in the mail, said I might as well try (it) and haven’t turned back.”