Roberts, Clark Earn State Crowns

AAA wrestling

For one wrestler, it was a repeat performance. For the other, a completion of ongoing business.

The end result was the same for University’s Andy Roberts and Mead’s James Clark.

Roberts, a 129-pound junior, won his second State AAA championship in as many tries. While it was the first title for 148-pound senior Clark, his foe was a season-long challenge. They were the two winners among four Greater Spokane League finalists in the AAA tournament at Mat Classic VIII.

The two-day pageant was played out in front of an audience of 25,760 and the drama wasn’t over until the 275-pound AAA weight class was finished.

Auburn’s Mike Mondt held the key to Central Valley’s fate. Whether he won or lost determined whether the Trojans were state champions outright or shared it with the Bears. Going into the final contest, the two schools were tied with 99.5 points apiece. But Mondt’s 4-2 victory left CV a runner-up.

U-Hi’s Roberts ran his record to 33-2 for the season and 86-11 over three years with a 10-6 win over Region IV final foe Ramon Iniguez of Wenatchee.

The Titans junior had beaten Iniguez 17-6 five nights earlier and gave his foe his due.

“He came out hard and had nothing to lose,” Roberts said. “I knew he would be tougher than before.”

Actually, Roberts’ toughest match came in the semifinals when he was forced to overtime by Lakes’ Brian Chang before getting a takedown to win 3-1.

“His style contrasted so much with mine,” said Roberts. “He was always backing out and tying up my arms. We didn’t score.”

For the second straight time, Clark and Wenatchee’s Ryan Gutzwiler were involved in a one-point dandy. The two came into their final with a combined 61-2 record, their only losses coming against each other.

Last Tuesday, Gutzwiler won 7-6. Saturday night, Clark scored a takedown as time ran out to win 5-4.

“The first time I beat him bad and he changed his style on me,” said Clark. “He tossed me on my back for five points.”

This time, both wrestled cautiously and both took turns leading before Clark rallied in the final 30 seconds from a 5-3 deficit.

The Mead senior had gone to state last year at 135 pounds but did not place.

“I think I was capable last year. I came through this year,” said Clark.

Earlier, teammate Jon Rugan had lost in the state finals for the second straight year and lost his second straight technical fall to Richland’s Aaron Mann.

“I go through the whole year thinking I can go far and it comes down to this,” said Rugan. “It hurts. It hurts real bad.”

At 215 pounds, University’s Jeff Schmedding lost 9-4 to unbeaten Curt Armstrong of Inglemoor. But his appearance in the state finals was no less satisfying. At the beginning of the season, he never envisioned getting this far.

“Not even close,” he said. “Things came together right after the Rocky Mountain Classic (in Missoula) and I won 11 straight matches.”

Central Valley’s journey to a best-ever second-place state finish had its rocky and controversial moments, but it ultimately took Mondt’s win in the night’s finale for Auburn to win 103.5 to 99.5.

Seven Bears placed, including third-placers Rick Giampietri, John Reese and Bob Perkes. Shane Cunanan and Shane Yackel took fifth, Joe Thiefault finished seventh and freshman 190-pounder Tyree Clowe placed eighth.

They were among 20 Greater Spokane League wrestlers to finish in the top eight in state. , DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo