Mead overwhelms North Central in GSL wrestling
North Central wrestling coach Luke Leifer knew the season-opening week would be difficult while being down two state placers.
But even Leifer and Mead coach Phil McLean were surprised by how the Panthers mauled North Central on Thursday.
Visiting Mead used eight pins and a technical fall to make quick work of the Indians, as the Panthers cruised to a 59-18 whitewashing.
“I was worried about Mead from the get-go,” Leifer said. “We just don’t match up well with them. I knew right through the middle it could be bad for us.”
Leifer was right. Mead (2-0) used five straight pins from 132 pounds to 160 to put the match away. Hunter King (132), Andrew Boharski (138), Christian Hunter (145), Tate LeClaire (152) and Daeri Alderman (160) got things going for the Panthers.
Alderman had the quickest pin in that stretch, needing just 1 minute, 5 seconds.
“That was above and beyond what I thought we’d do,” McLean said. “I thought it’d be really tight. We got some momentum and it got us going. The kids were on fire.”
Two-time State 3A champ Izaec Quintanilla (170) stopped the hemorrhaging when he got a pin in 1:11. Teammate Bryson Pierce, a state runner-up last year, followed at 182 with a pin.
NC’s other win came when Quintanilla’s younger brother, Clai, a state champ a year ago as well, got the fastest pin of the match, needing just 18 seconds at 120.
One of Mead’s leaders this season will undoubtedly be McLean’s son, Kevin. He will most likely wrestle most of the regular season at 195, but he bumped up to 220 against NC.
It wasn’t a problem, as McLean prevailed in 47 seconds.
“We did what we thought was best for the team,” McLean said of moving up a class.
He, too, was surprised by the Panthers’ margin of victory.
“It was a very pleasant surprise,” he said. “We came in expecting to do our best and waiting to see what happened. It’s a great start to the season. I like the energy we’re giving off. We have a really good team concept going on. It’s a really good dynamic and I like where it’s heading.”
Whether that could be a league championship is yet to be seen, McLean said.
“We can do great things – whatever that will be,” he said.
McLean’s dad would be content with similar efforts in future league duals.
“Against (Lewis and Clark on Wednesday), we won but I thought they competed a little better than us,” McLean said. “They amped it way up (against NC). I don’t know what inspired them. I better find that out because they were inspired. They were on a different level. I’m pleased with the direction they’re going.”
Lewis and Clark 34, University 31: The Tigers (1-1) upset the Titans (1-1), knocking off visiting University for the first time in more than 20 years. The Tigers got two pins to close out a rally, capped by heavyweight Noah Buckley. U-Hi opened with four straight wins, including a pin from Mikey Garrison (120). At 220, Sampson Rich gave the Tigers a chance with a pin, setting the stage for Buckley.
Shadle Park 50, Rogers 25: Kyle Vinson (182) needed just 48 seconds to highlight the Highlanders’ win at home. The Highlanders (1-1) also got pins from Ryan Farrell (132), Bryden Uychara (152), Eddie Montiel (170) and Stephan Babcock (195). Tim Westbrook (113) and Preston Ohmann (hwt) led Rogers with pins.
Central Valley 44, Ferris 21: Tied at 21, the visiting Bears (2-0) reeled off four straight wins to pull away. The Bears got back-to-back pins by Bryson and Bridger Beard at 126 and 132, respectively. Korey Hickson of Ferris (1-1) topped Bradley Wiggs 4-2 at 113 to knot things at 21 before CV finished with three straight pins and a technical fall.