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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

North Central defeats Shadle Park in GSL wrestling

The Stinky Singlet at North Central on wrestling rivalry night in the Greater Spokane League had all the trappings of postseason competition.

Some 14 state-ranked wrestlers took to the mat when the Indians and Shadle Park squared off in their season finale. But defending State 3A champion NC, tabbed by coaches to repeat, had more guns for the 36-25 victory.

Still it took a first-year wrestler, freshman Gavin Geis, to stave off the Highlanders’ spirited challenge.

Already ranked 10th statewide at 132 pounds, Geis broke a 4-all tie with an escape and takedown as time expired despite giving away size to 11th-ranked Nathan Boucher to win 7-4 and give NC an eight-point lead and some breathing room with two matches remaining.

“I shot on the lead leg and hung on for the last few seconds,” Geis said. “It was real nerve-wracking.”

Trailing 8-5 in the third period, sophomore teammate Cameron Bowerman pancaked Kemoni Robinson for a pin to clinch the Indians’ victory.

North Central, which finished the GSL season 5-4, was heavily favored. But nine matches into the 14-match contest the score was 21-19. It was 27-22 before Geis survived the tense back-and-forth contest.

“I’m always worried about a rivalry match,” Indians coach Luke Leifer said. “Crazy stuff happens. I never counted them out at all. A lot of studs matched up against each other. There were a lot of highly ranked guys. I was on the edge of my seat that’s for sure.”

Among the memorable matches were 182 pounds, at which Bryson Pierce, NC’s state finalist last year and ranked No. 1 in state at 170, went up against Kyle Vinson, who is ranked No. 2 at 182. The two muscled to a virtual standoff at 3-2 when Pierce cost himself two points with a mistake, but rallied to win 6-3.

Two-time NC state champion Izaec Quintanilla manhandled of fifth-ranked Stephan Bancock.