Hunter King keys Mead wrestling win over Central Valley

Mead wrestling coach Phil McLean called the move Hunter King pulled off late “big danger, big payoff.”

Leading 4-3 with 30 seconds remaining against Central Valley’s Bridger Beard, the 132-pound King countered a single leg shot with a mutlock move.

For a split second it looked like Beard had enough leg to pull off a takedown.

“You basically grab their head while they’re in on a single and do a back roll and you come out on top,” King said.

That’s if it is executed properly. And it was as King added three big back points with the takedown for a key 8-3 win.

His victory coupled with a pin by Tate LeClaire at 152 lifted Mead to a 35-24 victory over the visiting Bears in Greater Spokane League duals Wednesday.

“It’s not my favorite (move),” McLean said. “I wouldn’t do it if I’m leading 4-3 – let’s put it that way.”

King and Beard wrestled like they were trapped in a burlap bag with snakes. The match lacked no intensity.

CV coach John Owen said before the match the face-off at 132 would be key.

Then with the Panthers clinging to a 25-24 lead and two matches left, LeClaire took things into his own hands.

LeClaire was on attack from the opening whistle, needing just 41 seconds for the match-clinching pin.

Well afterward, LeClaire’s adrenaline was still evident.

“If I didn’t win by pin, they could still come back and win it,” LeClaire said, fully aware of the challenge he faced. “I was nervous but I had relaxed intensity. That’s what our coach calls it. He says you need to be calm but still have power and be in control.”

Mead’s win means there’s now a four-way tie for first. The Panthers, Bears, University and Mt. Spokane each have one loss.

“What a great league,” McLean said. “What fun it is when everyone is that even. It makes for some great duals. Whoever missed this dual really missed out.”

The match played out like the coaches thought. Each team’s top wrestlers won.

CV got nice wins from Chauncye Garrigan (182), Brycen Gardner (106), Bradley Wiggs (113), Bryce Beard (126), Blake Beard (138) and Braedon Orrino (145).

Shadle Park 48, Ferris 28: The Highlanders (2-2) were powered by seven pins. Aaron Childers (106) started things rolling. After Ferris took a lead, Shadle responded with pins by Ryan Farrell (132), Nathan Boucher (138), Bryden Uyehara (152), TJ Trout (160), Stephen Babcock (170), Kyle Vinson (195) and Ryan Burnett (220).

Lewis and Clark 58, Gonzaga Prep 9: Heavweight Noah Buckley led the Tigers (3-3) with a pin in 4:36 in a rematch of last year’s 4A district final against Tyler Brooking. The Tigers’ Eh Kyet Key defeated PJ Vigil 4-2 at 106. Davis Wright of G-Prep defeated Garrick Thompson 6-3.

Mt. Spokane 48, Rogers 21: Behind pins from Jake Howerton (106), Taylor Taigen (113) and Reiner Schauer (120) the Wildcats (3-1) took control.

University 46, North Central 20: The Titans (4-1) scored bonus points all over. Leading the way was Cam Sorensen, who scored a technical fall at 138.