GSL wrestling preview

Balance might be the most appropriate description of the league this winter. “We’ll have more balance than we’ve seen for a while,” University coach Don Owen said.

 No team appears poised to dominate as some have in recent years. The battle for the dual league championship should be tightly contested. Defending champ U-Hi should be tested by defending State 3A champ North Central, Central Valley and possibly Mead. U-Hi moved up to 4A, which means the battle for district spots to regionals will be much more difficult.

 Mt. Spokane returns two state placers in Alec Hoover (5th at 120, at 126 this year) and Rich Bondurant (5th at 138/145). The Wildcats finished fourth in league, second in subregionals and second in regionals last year. Graduation hit Mt. Spokane hard.

 Rogers returns state alternate Edward Smith (132). Second-year coach Rod Tamura is optimistic. “Our coaching staff is expecting better technical skills from all of our wrestlers, improvements in their win/loss records, a dual meet record closer to .500 and more wrestlers placing in the medal rounds of the tournaments we enter,” he said.

 CV brings back two-time state champ Blake Beard (138), Bryson Beard (126), Braedon Orrino (145), Bridger Beard (132), Elijah Kilborn (145) and Chauncye Garrigan (184). “We’ll do well as individuals but not as a team,” CV coach John Owen said. “We don’t have the depth. We’ll come along well. We’ll have quality similar to last year.”

 Mead returns Kevin McLean (3rd, 195), Tate LeClair (6th, 152), Andrew Boharski (138) and Hunter King (132). “We have some returning guys who have been around the league and are working to be in the hunt,” Mead coach Phil McLean said. “We are a little thin as far as upperclassmen, but we have a solid 30 freshmen out who are talented and working hard.”

 U-Hi brings back defending state champ Tate Orndorff at heavyweight and Cam Sorensen (2nd, 126). The Titans are seeking a league title and trophy at state. “I don’t know how high we can place, because we don’t have enough weapons,” Don Owen said. “We might surprise some people by the middle of the season. We had seven alternates at state last year and six are back.”

 NC brings back state medalists Izaec Quintanilla (160, state champ/170), Clai Quintanilla (106, state champ/120), Bryson Pierce (170, 2nd/182), Bryan Wais (138, 4th/145) and Junior Villaro (182, 7th/195). “We start the season ranked No. 1 in 3A with four individuals ranked No. 1 in their weight classes,” NC coach Luke Leifer said. “We have a large number of returning varsity wrestlers that have put in a ton of time.”

 Ferris returns Dylan Cronkhite (145/152), Elijah Ross (152) and Donavin McElliott (195). “I’ve got a lot of seniors, but what I don’t have is a lot of home-run hitters,” Ferris coach Tim Owen said. “Any time you have a lot of seniors, the tendency is to do well in dual meets. We could end up starting as many as 10 seniors.”

Greg Lee