LC, Liberty wrestlers claim state titles

A trio of South Side high school wrestling state qualifiers took their turn atop the podium during last weekend’s Mat Classic XIX.

Lewis and Clark’s Trevor Powell and Anthony Varnell captured 4A state titles, and Liberty’s Adam Thies was a State B champion.

All told, the small band of mighty athletes from South Side schools and Gonzaga Prep brought home a total of 11 state medals.

Powell and Varnell became the first Tiger titlists since 1988.

Competing at 125 pounds, Powell won three straight matches by pin before edging University rival Brian Owen 2-1 in the All-Greater Spokane League final.

“It’s my pop’s birthday,” Powell said on Saturday. “He’s a three-time state champion, so I figured I had to do it at least once.”

Varnell won four decisions at 140 pounds, two by eight or more points, and hung on for a 9-8 title win.

“This means the world to me,” he said. “I’ve been dreaming of this moment since I was a little boy.”

Coach Ty Lingo admitted to feeling numb after the realization hit that both his wrestlers had reached the finals.

“This is wonderful,” he said while reflecting on the accomplishment. “Both of them have such different temperaments than myself.

“They are cool as a cucumber and so laid back when they get ready for big matches. I’m the one who’s all stressed out.”

But he added that from season’s start he knew they had state title potential.

“It was a matter of working hard in the (wrestling) room and staying focused all year,” he said. “And they did.”

Powell said that Lingo promised he would shave his head into a Mohawk cut at the wrestling banquet if they won. The state champs will have to hold him to it.

The wrestlers combined for 52 points and 11th place in state. Gonzaga Prep with four placers finished 12th overall with 51.5.

All four Bullpups won first-round matches, lost in the quarterfinals, then won at least once more to assure a medal.

“My goal for the kids when they came to state was having them all place, which was great,” said coach Danny Pearson.

“Especially for the two juniors (David Hall and Kevin Healy). It will make them more confident for next year.”

Thies makes good

Liberty’s Thies was considered a sure thing in the first State 2B/1B wrestling tournament.

The two-time state third-placing wrestler didn’t disappoint.

In his first two matches, Thies wrestled a total of 2 minutes, 6 seconds, pinning twice in the first round. He beat Wilbur-Creston’s Ben Lembcke 4-2 for the title.

“I wrestled him five times this year,” said Thies. “This was the hardest match.

“I expected him to come out harder, but I didn’t expect him to come out that tough.”

Like all state champions, standing atop the podium was a dream fulfilled.

“I’ve been expecting to be a state champion since I was a freshman,” Thies said.