CV prevails over EV
The Greater Spokane League wrestling match Wednesday between unbeatens Central Valley and East Valley wasn’t settled until the night’s final match, but the outcome of the Bears’ 31-27 victory was determined much earlier.
In the sixth of 14 contests at CV, Bears senior George DeLaRosa was on the verge of being pinned.
He turned the tables on his 160-pound foe, EV sophomore Dakota Lawson, in the final 30 seconds of the second round. That potential 12-point difference turned the match in CV’s direction.
“That probably was a pin in our favor that swung to a pin in their favor,” said EV coach Craig Hanson. “But it’s high school wrestling and those things happen all the time. It was unfortunate it happened. It would have nice to finish it (win the league championship) tonight.”
Lawson’s cradle for three points gave him a 6-3 lead after a period and he was ahead 9-5 when DeLaRosa was able to counter a move for the reversal and pin.
“He gave me a head and arm and I took advantage of it,” DeLaRosa said.
“This is awesome. I thought I was going to get pinned, and I didn’t, and ended up pinning the guy.”
CV’s victory came in the second straight thriller involving Valley wrestling teams. It left the Bears (9-0) alone atop the league heading into tonight’s Battle of the Bone against district rival University.
The Titans and Knights (both 8-1) are tied for second place and there still could be a three-way title tie.
Against EV, the Bears had the advantage in seven weight classes from 103 pounds through 140. EV’s strength all season has been in the seven from 145 through 275.
CV won three early decisions when the match began at 130 for a 9-0 lead.
East Valley tied it at 9 following a pin by Caleb Alvarado at 145 and decision by Billy Cabbage before DeLaRosa’s advantage turner.
“That made a big difference, didn’t it?” said Bears coach John Owen. “I’m sure the kid feels bad because he was the aggressor and didn’t get beat being passive. He got beat trying to score points for his team.”
EV built a 27-18 lead over the next five contests. The only loss came at 215, where Tyler Cochran defeated Jimmy Martin 3-0 in a match between league standouts.
It was his third victory over Martin this year.
“They’re all really close matches,” said Cochran. “He’s a really good friend of mine so it’s always exciting to wrestle.”
Two matches later, the Knights’ Keith Babington pulled out a 7-6 victory over Sam Neumann at 103 pounds to give EV its biggest lead and hope.
“I had to keep his head down when I shot and keep the pressure on him,” said Babington of the win between two promising freshmen.
It was the first of the final four matches of the night in which the Bears were favored. They won the last three, including a pin by Tanner Teeples to secure the team triumph.
“This is the first time I felt we could compete with them,” said Owen, whose Bears are assured no worse than a tie for their first league title since 1998. “Tonight I think the kids thought they could win and I hope they think they can tomorrow.”
“In other matches, visiting North Central (5-5) defeated Mt. Spokane (5-5) 37-28. The tone was set in the first contest at 135 pounds when Thomas Montague scored two third-period reversals to beat Ryan Rabe 7-4 in a match between two of the league’s better wrestlers in that class. NC’s Dillon Coy won by injury default at 145 when Aaron Low hyperextended his ankle. The Wildcats’ Noah Hatton bumped up two weights to 171 for a technical fall. Kelly Meade’s pin at 130 in the final match clinched the win. … Ferris (4-6) won at Shadle Park (3-7) 36-29. The Saxons rallied from a 21-13 deficit with two pins and a technical fall between 119 and 130 pounds. They clinched it with a pin in the final match at 145. … Visiting U-Hi beat Lewis and Clark (2-7) 59-16, winning four by forfeit, including state placer Trevor Powell because of match count. … Mead (7-3) whipped Rogers 56-12 at home, winning six matches by pin. In a close one at 171, Rogers’ Bryan Clark edged Jordan Greco 2-0.