Surprising University Pulls Away From Mead

Prep wrestling

University wrestlers won two matches between state veterans, and just about everything else, during a stunning 48-15 Greater Spokane League victory over previously unbeaten Mead on Wednesday night at University.

Included was U-Hi state champion Tommy Owen’s 4-2 overtime decision against former third-place finisher Mark Denholm while wrestling up a weight at 122 pounds.

U-Hi state third-placer Conor Jordan topped seventh-place finisher Jesse McCarty 7-1 at 141 pounds. McCarty had also moved up a weight.

The Titans finished with 11 victories in 14 contests.

“This is a surprise to me,” said coach Don Owen. “The kids really showed up tonight.”

U-Hi’s easy win, coupled with victories by Rogers and Central Valley, created a four-team tie for second place among the Bears, Pirates, Titans and Panthers, all with 3-1 records.

They trail Gonzaga Prep (4-0), a 61-12 winner over Shadle Park.

Rogers won its third straight, 44-26 over Ferris, and CV beat North Central 41-26. In the night’s other match, Lewis and Clark beat Mt. Spokane 46-16.

The night’s first match set the tone between University and Mead.

Zach Ewers won an entertaining 16-14 takedown battle over freshman Ryan Van Doren, also in overtime.

Ewers had two takedowns for a 4-1 first-period lead. He fell behind 9-3 in the second period on three Van Doren takedowns. But Ewers got the final four takedowns of the match, including the overtime decider.

“I weighed in at only 151 pounds and he weighed 158,” said Ewers, who credited hard practices with his rally. “He’s just a freshman, but he’s strong and going to be really good.”

That match, said Owen, although just the first, was important.

“At that point, it was a real inspiration,” he said. “If we lose, who knows what would have happened.”

At Gonzaga Prep, Greg Healy trailed 9-4 but won by pin at 129. It was one of 12 Bullpups victories, seven by pin plus one technical fall, en route to an easy triumph.

Ty Schuetzle and Casey Matthews, who also won by pin, won for Shadle (0-4).

Rogers led 20-0 over Ferris (1-3), but it took Lani Kelp’s two-point reversal in the next-to-last match to break a 6-6 tie and clinch victory for the Pirates.

Dave DeCaro won in two overtimes at 190, and Will Jesse came from behind for a pin in two earlier pivotal matches.

Football star Tyree Clowe made his debut with a 49-second pin at 215 pounds to help CV rally against NC (2-2).

The Bears took control thereafter by winning successive matches between 108 and 129 pounds.

NC’s Morgan Ball missed the match with a minor rib injury.

Lewis and Clark (1-3) won convincingly over Mt. Spokane (0-4) for its first win of the season.

Forfeit victories at 101 and 108 pounds put the Tigers ahead for good. They won the final five matches, including by Mike Menzel, who had takedowns in the first and third periods for a shutout at 141.