Gonzaga Prep Edges University, 34-28

GSL wrestling

Gonzaga Prep’s 34-28 wrestling win over University, except in one instance, was not for the faint of heart.

In key matches, Bullpup sophomore Kyle Gleason upset a seasoned veteran. His senior teammate, Don Weiber, moved up two weight classes for a come-from-behind decision.

Even the coin flip that determines which team must first commit a wrestler to a weight class proved significant.

It enabled Bullpup 129-pounder Tom Brown to avoid the Titans’ defending state champion Andy Roberts - which played a part in the outcome.

Both wrestlers won, but, said U-Hi coach Don Owen, it affected other contests throughout the night.

“That was monstrous,” Owen said. “It was just two matches, but it determined what I did afterwards.”

As expected, the dramatic match between last year’s Greater Spokane League co-champions played out in front of a large, noisy audience. The Bullpups trailed 14-11 when Gleason took the mat against U-Hi junior Josh Vande Vanter.

He twice rallied for leads and was ahead 7-5 in the third round when Vande Vanter let him go in order to attempt a takedown. It backfired and Gleason built a 13-5 major decision.

“I’m the inexperienced sophomore and they were trying to cheat one,” said Gleason. “Before the match Nick Bliss said, ‘Gleason you’ve got to show some heart.”’

Two matches later, Jesse Larson put U-Hi back in front 17-15.

Then Weiber rallied from a 5-1 deficit to score five third-period points and beat Sam Butler in the 178-pound match.

Wieber is normally a 158-pounder.

“I think the difference in weight affected me early,” he said. “Toward the end he gassed and died off. My years of cross country paid off.”

A couple matches after that, both 215-pound wrestlers were disqualified for inaction, although it was later determined that Titan Ed Pospisil, ahead 9-5 at the time, by rule should have the win because of an earlier penalty point against Jason Francis.

It was about the only time that a match didn’t produce excitement.

At 275, Matt Betts made it all academic by avenging an earlier loss he suffered against T.J. Dowling with a pin that locked up the win.

“Wasn’t that the craziest match you’ve ever watched?” asked Gonzaga Prep coach Phil McLean. “I couldn’t have called it better.”

The Bullpups are 2-0 in league, U-Hi is 1-1.

His decision to use Weiber at 178 in the absence of vacationing Justin Dahman was based on the wrestler’s throwing ability.

McLean was delighted by the competitiveness and maturity of Gleason, even if he made sophomore mistakes.

“This was big,” said McLean of the victory. “It’s too early to tell anything (about league outcome), but it was big for our confidence.”

In other matches, Mead (2-0) kept pace with the Bullpups atop the GSL with a 40-26 victory at home against Ferris.

The Panthers won successive matches between 135 and 168 pounds for a 27-9 lead, but led just 27-26 before winning the final three matches.

Joe Collier won by pin and Mark Denholm and Jesse McCarty added decisions for the final total.

League favorite Central Valley (1-0) opened its GSL season with a 47-18 win over Lewis and Clark (1-1).

The Bears won nine straight times between 122 and 190 pounds, three by pin and another by technical fall.

Included was Jared Ishiguro’s 13-12 comeback victory over Dan Wittenberg at 135.

Trailing 10-7 going into the third round following a series of take-downs and escapes, Ishiguro had two takedowns and a reversal to win with 20 seconds remaining.

Rogers (1-1) outlasted Shadle Park (0-2) 48-36.

Every match was decided either by pin or forfeit.

Rogers trailed 36-30 going into the final three matches.

, DataTimes