Gsl Wrestlers Stage Annual Bout

State AAA wrestling

The theme song of Mead wrestler Jon Rugan and Central Valley’s Shane Cunanan could well be “Same Time Next Year.”

For the second straight year, the two Greater Spokane League 115-pounders and good friends will wrestle for a spot in the State AAA finals at Mat Classic VIII.

Last year Rugan, a junior, defeated Cunanan and went on to finish second at 108 pounds. Cunanan, a sophomore, finished third.

They are one half of a weight class semifinal that pits all Region IV wrestlers against each other. University High’s Jared Osborn meets Richland’s Aaron Mann in the other 115-pound match.

The three Spokane athletes are among nine GSL semifinalists still in the hunt for AAA state championships. Also assured of top-eight places, a departure from former tournaments when only six wrestlers medaled, are 11 other league athletes.

Rugan and Cunanan will meet for the third time this year, having split their other two meetings.

While the match will determine who makes the finals, it also has team trophy implications. Going into today’s competition, Central Valley is second in the AAA meet with 55.5 points behind Auburn’s 59. The Bears still have seven wrestlers in the competition.

They are 108 pounder John Reese, 168 pounder Shane Yackel, 178 pounder Joe Thiefault, 190 pounder Tyree Clowe and 275 pounder Bob Perkes.

Other GSL medalists are LC 101-pounder Brian Lehrman, Gonzaga 122 pounder Cory Brannon, 135 pounders James Dawe of Rogers and Fletcher Barkdull of Ferris, 141 pounder Nick Bliss from Gonzaga, Rogers 168 pounder Shaun McMackin and North Central 190 pounder David Sandberg.

The Panthers have three semifinalists, including 141-pound Lyle Beerbohm, who won dramatically 6-5 over Auburn’s Joey Hess, and 148-pounder James Clark, who came back for a 7-4 victory.

CV’s other semifinalist is third-year state participant Rick Giampietri at 158 pounds.

University had a strong day. The league co-champions, who until now have struggled in postseason, sent three wrestlers into the semis.

Besides Osborn, 1984 state champion Andy Roberts won twice handily at 129 pounds. Jeff Schmedding, at 215, won a pair of workmanlike matches.

A major setback came at 122 pounds, where returning state fourth placer Josh Knowles lost in overtime. He was docked a stall point and gave up a takedown in the waning seconds. He was ultimately eliminated from further competition by Brannon.

Another GSL state semifinalist is Gonzaga Prep sophomore Chris Montgomery. The 108 pounder went from third at district to a shot at a championship.

Returning Bullpups state champion Brannon didn’t have as much luck, losing 2-0 to Kentridge’s Mike Mertel in a match between last year’s 108-pound winner and 115-pound runner-up, both now at 122 pounds.

In his third match with Mike Mondt, last year’s third-place 275-pound winner, Perkes gave up a late takedown and lost 7-4.

There were other disappointments at Mat Classic VIII. In a 190-pound match, Mead’s Spencer Smith was leading 10-1 and suddenly was pinned.

“It’s craziness,” said Mead coach Cash Stone. “Some things are unexplainable.” , DataTimes