Dawn Begins Anew In Gsl Mead Wrestling Coach Debuts Against Ferris Tonight In League Opener

A new era begins tonight when Scott Bliss’s Mead Panthers debut in the Greater Spokane League.

Bliss, whose teams at Auburn won two state championships, opens the season at Ferris against a team that could contend for a league championship.

“They are a lot tougher than we had realized,” said Bliss. “Some are saying they’re the second best team.

Then we come right back with University and Central Valley so it’s a real tough start.”

The Panthers are among five teams, including Gonzaga Prep, who figure to contend in the GSL.

They already made a point last weekend by putting all 14 wrestlers in the finals of the Mead Invitational, winning eight championships.

“I was impressed with them,” said Larry Stranahan. “They are very strong and well-coached.”

Stranahan is coach at new district school Mt. Spokane. His wrestlers are a spin-off from the 38-year career of Cash Stone, the legendary coach who retired from Mead last year.

The new GSL team is made up of mainly freshmen and sophomores.

“Since I haven’t coached in league I really don’t know a lot about the other teams,” he said.

Gonzaga is after a third straight league championship.

“I think we’ll be competitive,” said Bullpup coach Phil McLean. “I just think the league will be more competitive as well.”

Can Bullpups make it three straight?

“I think we might be a better tournament team than dual team,” cautioned coach Phil McLean.

There’s good reason. Last year’s state runnerup Chris Montgomery and two-time state placer Nick Bliss return at 115 and 158 pounds, and are joined by Lakeland transfer and Idaho runnerup Travis Pascoe, a sophomore 168-pounder.

Additionally, regional veterans Kyle Gleason, 178, and Sean Malone, 141, return. So, too, do district placers Louis Peyron and Evan Volk, both 108, and Paul Koehler, 148, and Peter Foltz, 190.

Those with varsity experience are senior Chris Healey, 129, Tim Ulmen, 135, and Doug O’Coyne, 215.

Newcomers are sophomore Jeff Zappone, 101, sophomore Danny Pearson, 135, Dom Severino, 178, Wyatt Treat and sophomore Eli Hansen, 190, Ben Coffman, 215, and Joe Gumaer, 275.

The untested weight is 122 where freshman Rob Durland, whose dad Terry was a North Central state champion in 1973, and sophomore Brett Roberts are battling.

Mead coach brings success with him

Mead, this year, is a melding of a coach accustomed to success and wrestlers accustomed to success.

Nine wrestlers, who placed in the Mead Invite, are varsity veterans.

They include junior 115-pounder Mark Denholm, third in state last year, and district placers Jesse McCarty, 129, and Travis Smith, 215.

Seniors Keith Riddle, 141, Tony Curtis, 148, Josh Sicilia, 158, John Potter, 168, Chris Mattingly, 190, and junior Kevin Klaus, 135, all return.

Also from last year’s varsity is senior Keith Stamps at 178.

Finalists in the invitational were sophomores Kelly Compogno, 101, and Chris Layton, 108, and freshman T.J. Merrill, 122, Nate Pennock, 178, and Nick Slind, 275.

Prospects are Tony Russell, 122, sophomore Aaron Johnson, 141, Scott Cruess, 158, sophomore Matt Beal, 178, and freshman 275-pounder Mike Schneider.

“We’re pretty well balanced so I see us finishing somewhere in the top half of league,” said Bliss. “We will know very soon.”

Can Pirates duplicate last year?

After finishing fourth in league during his first season, coach Walt Arnold is wondering if the Pirates can duplicate that effort.

“It depends upon how we jell,” said Arnold. “I’d like to say we’ll be in the middle of league.”

Five district placers, including sophomore state third placer Ryan Anstrom at 168 pounds, regional qualifiers Marshall Sims, 275, Kris Clarke, 148 and junior Ben Houk, 108, are back.

The other district placer, junior Adam Lindsay, remains at 190.

Six Pirates gained varsity experience last year, including Andy Dahl, 108, Anthony Kelp, 122, Zac Depue, 129, Brandon Lang, 158, Ian Suringer and David DeCaro in the 178 through 215 pound areas.

Newcomers include sophomores Dusty Neeson, 101, Ismael Varnell, 115, Cameron Sims and Mike Moser, 135.

Senior Derrick Dyer is at 141 and Danny Gonzales is another in the 178-215 category.

Indians shy on depth

North Central has a senior-oriented lineup, but not enough depth, said coach Randy Cloke.

State third-placer David Sandberg at 215 pounds, regional qualifier Brian Mack, 178 or 190, and Deer Park Invitational 275-pound champion Derek Phillips give the Indians a solid place to start.

Seniors Josh Knox, Nick Stuart, Joel LeBret and junior Jack Baker are all lumped between 122 and 135. Jeremy Shay and Josh Neumiller will be at 148 pounds.

“We’re going to have to play games and move kids into some of the weight classes,” said Cloke.

Several other wrestlers are back, including Carl Seegars and Morgan Ball, who are part of the freshman/sophomore oriented 101 to 115 pound weight classes.

NC finished sixth at the Deer Park Invitational, third among GSL teams entered.

“At tournament time we definitely have a good shot at shaking things up,” said Cloke.

Shadle continues to build

Second-year coach Mark Miller is building his program around this year’s sophomore class.

“We should be improved,” Miller said. “Probably everyone else is improved, too.”

Shadle brings back much of its lineup, including junior regional qualifier Kevin Olson who will wrestle at 178 pounds.

He was one of six to participate in an intensive camp last summer.

The others are juniors Ty Schuetzle, 148, Steve Webb, 141, sophomores Scott Doughty, 148, Adam Sonduck, 215, and Josh Powers, 275.

Also returned are sophomores Jared Lee, 108. and Mikaiah Holland, 122.

Transfers Aaron Cordova is at 129. Gonzaga Prep junior transfer Matt Largent will be at 158.

“He’s a great addition and influence,” said Miller.

Freshmen Justin Eballar and Makary Hudson are at 101 and 115. Senior Heath Tracy is at 168, freshman Jeremy McVay at 190 and senior Trevor McCain is at 215.

“It’s hard to get rolling in this league,” said Miller. ‘When we’re older we’ll be able to hang in with everyone.”

Wildcats hopes to spin off success

Mt. Spokane could benefit from the Mead School District wrestling tradition.

The Wildcats had five top four finishes during the Mead Invitational last weekend.

“I thought it was a good start for us,” said coach Larry Stranahan. “We made mistakes you make with a young team, but I was impressed with the effort and competitiveness.”

Freshman 115-pounder Joe Marek reached the finals. Another freshman, Tony Perkins at 108, sophomores Robert Smith at 178, Matt Dunford at 215 and junior Jerome Simmons at 190 were fourth.

Others in the lineup are freshman Curt Bailey, 101, junior Derek McLash, 122, sophomore Landon Crecelius, 129, junior Adam Stoyanac, 135 who wrestled some varsity for Mead last year.

Sophomores Adam Gumke, 141, Mike Bafaro, 148, Joel Sherman or junior Jason Nelson 158, sophomore Bobby LaBelle, 178, round out the Wildcat team.

Stranahan coached wrestling in Montana and Oregon, but had been away from it the 11 years he taught and assisted football at Mead.

“We won’t worry about the other teams,” he said. “We’ll worry about ourselves and let the chips fall where they will.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo