Repeat Outlook Ferris, Lc Wrestlers Face Uphill Struggle In Gsl; G-Prep Squad Favored To Finish Strongly Again

GSL WRESTLING

W restling teams at Lewis and Clark and Ferris opened the season last night against teams in the same Greater Spokane League boat.

All four schools are improved, but the record may not reflect it.

The Tigers and Saxons won just one GSL dual match apiece last season, and though they return much of their lineups, they must go some to catch the upper echelon.

“We have five real solid guys this year,” said second-year Tiger coach Jason Tebbets. “We’ll have a fairly decent tournament team, but the dual season will be a rough one, I think.”

Ferris, which finished fifth in state despite its lack of dual success, has a dozen wrestlers back with varsity experience.

“We lost five quality kids who will be tough to replace, so it could be a tough year,” said coach Tim Owen. “But we had a lot of green kids last year, and hopefully we’ll have a little more stability and consistency in the lineup.”

Last year’s top four teams, including second-place finisher Gonzaga Prep, are expected to be this year’s title contenders again.

The Bullpups, despite losing a number of key graduates, field their strongest junior class.

New coach guides Bullpups

It was quite a summer for Gonzaga wrestling followers.

Phil McLean, who built the Bullpups into a power, moved to Mead. Then, his replacement, assistant coach Greg Smith, took a job out of town.

Dusty Roberts, another Bullpup assistant, a two-time state champion at University High and former University of Oregon wrestler, took over.

“I think we’re going to be OK,” said the 24-year-old Roberts.

Eleven members of the Bullpup team competed in the district tournament last year, and seven won at least twice.

In that junior- and sophomore-dominated crew, Roberts said, at least four are legitimate state-placing candidates.

Among them were regional qualifier Karl Koehler, alternates Kyle Malone and Tim Healy and sixth-placer Luke Kuhn.

Kuhn lost only once in league before falling on hard times in the tournament.

“I think he can be a state champion,” said Roberts.

Coupled with sophomore prospect James Pearson, Gonzaga will be exceptionally strong from 152 through 189 pounds.

“We’re pretty strong at the lower weights, too,” said Roberts. “We’ve got a lot of raw talent.”

The new coach said he will stress fundamental moves that score points and, like his predecessor, body position. He says it’s the most important aspect of the sport.

“The other third of it is working hard,” said Roberts, “which hopefully will pay off.”

Saxons banking on experience

The loss of four state-placing wrestlers to graduation will be felt by the Saxons.

The fact that so many returnees were varsity performers is this year’s saving grace.

“What I’m hoping,” said Owen, “is this year we do not have as many spots where we give up six points every time we wrestle.”

On the other hand, there won’t be as many sure wins from state-quality athletes.

Juniors Blake Yonago and Dan Gonzales are the exceptions. Yonago is a two-time state qualifier, and Gonzales is a regional veteran.

“(Gonzales) could have a real good year,” said Owen. “I hope to see them both place in state.”

They and district placer Marvell Tullos are among eight Saxons who competed in last year’s league tournament.

In addition, two others, Eldon Cahoon and Jon Richard, are back in the fold after a year’s absence.

“Our team goals are to get at least five kids to regional and three to state,” said Owen.

“I feel as a dual meet team we would win half our matches anywhere else. In this league we’ll be scrapping to win one.”

Tigers look toward postseason

Lewis and Clark is also gearing toward post-season and as many as five regional qualifiers.

Two of them, David Kulisch and Tyler Menzel, already have experienced the tournament.

“As far as I know, this is the first time in four or five years where we’ve had a regional veteran in the room,” said Tebbets. “That’s huge.”

David Sloan was a regional alternate, and Tebbets is confident Aaron Twete will be much improved.

The Tigers have been bolstered by the addition of junior Dirk Erickson, a two-year performer from Gonzaga Prep, and have two other district veterans in the fold.

“We will be competitive with just about every team,” said Tebbets.

But he’s concerned by the fact that there are only nine freshmen on his roster, a quarter of the frosh basketball turnout.

“My goal right now is to change the attitude about wrestling on the South Hill,” he said.