Gonzaga Prep Coach Already Missing State Champ Pascoe

Gonzaga Prep wrestling coach Phil McLean asked the obvious question.

“Can I redshirt him for a year?”

McLean quipped following Travis Pascoe’s third straight state championship.

There was no joking about the impact the Rathdrum, Idaho, athlete had on Prep’s program. Pascoe completed an undefeated season to become only the GSL’s second three-time state champion.

After four tight wins against East Valley’s Josh Birt during the year, Pascoe took command early and won easily in their state finals match.

“He’s an upper-level kid and when it’s show time, he comes and competes,” said McLean.

Pascoe, who has signed to continue wrestling at the University of Nebraska, dealt with diabetes, which at times could throw his blood sugar levels out of whack and sap his energy.

Yet in three years for the Bullpups, he won all but two matches.

This year, Pascoe is ranked No. 1 nationally at his 189-pound weight class among high school wrestlers.

He’s been chosen to compete in the Dapper Dan, Pennsylvania vs. Team U.S.A. Classic in late March. In April, he’ll compete on the Dream Team AllStars Classic in Minnesota.

“People wrestle three levels higher because they are in Travis’ weight,” said McLean. “He’s done that for a lot of kids in the area. He does things that are unbelievable. You get one like him in a lifetime, if you’re lucky.”

McLean not only lamented the loss of a great wrestler and friend when the curtain rang down on Pascoe’s career. When Pascoe moves to Lincoln to compete collegiately, the Bullpups coach loses something else.

“I lose my babysitter,” said McLean. “Who’s going to watch my kids?”

Moses Lake simply amazing

Moses Lake’s latest state team championship proved truly amazing.

The Chiefs, with 156.5 points and three state champions, outscored the combined point totals of runner-up Capital and third-place East Valley.

They placed 8 of 10 entrants, five of whom were in the finals, and won three championships.

Two championships, by Ariel Garza and Carlos Adamy, came against twotime state champions.

“I’m so proud of the kids,” said Chiefs coach Ron Seibel. “They wrestled stronger at regionals than at district and stronger at state than regionals. They peaked at the right time.”

What made it more amazing is that Moses Lake lost seven expected regulars for various reasons during the season.

Setting the bar impossibly high

Last year, GSL wrestlers in general set the bar so impossibly high that this year’s two state champions among six finalists seemed to pale by comparison.

Yet the region still was dominant at state with four of the top six team finishers, a total of 13 finalists, nearly equal to last year, and five champions, not far off last year’s eight.

All told, Eastern Washington 4A wrestlers placed 33 of 56 entrants at Mat Classic XII, including 16 of 29 from the GSL.

Some State B slots filled

State B tournament fields were onefourth decided before Wednesday night’s Northeast District 7 winner-to-state games.

Naselle, Wahkiakum, Quilcene and Seattle Lutheran have already qualified for the boys tournament.

It’s an historic step for Naselle, which qualified for its 33rd tournament to break a first-place tie with Reardan for overall appearances.

The news is also big in Quilcene, which hasn’t played at state since 1976.

Napavine, Mossyrock, Clallam Bay and Neah Bay girls teams are state-bound.

Both tournaments will run Wednesday through March 4 at the Arena.

The tournament draw is 10 a.m. Sunday in the Ridpath’s Legend Room.

Local volleyball players selected

Eleven area volleyball players are on the all-state series rosters announced by director Jan Kirk of Fife.

Shayla Bush and Devon Herron of Ferris, Lindsay Murphy of State 4A champion Mead, Katie Schurra of Shadle Park and Amy Kauppila of Lewis and Clark were named to the 4A East team. Anna Vanderpool of Rogers and Bridget Monahan of Mt. Spokane are the coaches.

Named to the 1A/B East team were Breanna Schmick and Kim Colyar, St. John-Endicott; Joanna Baldree and Emily Hall, Colfax; Kyra Carpenter, Davenport; and Tasha Swinney of State B champion Garfield-Palouse.

The series is scheduled July 12-15 in Fife, Wenatchee and Spokane.