Mead runs over Central Valley in GSL wrestling opener

The Mead wrestling team expects to challenge for the Greater Spokane League championship.

Judging by the outcome Tuesday, 2015 league champ Central Valley has much work to do.

The Panthers won the first 11 matches, cruising to a 58-12 win over the visiting Bears in a league-opening dual.

“Wow,” Mead coach Phil McLean said. “I think they’re down some guys right now, but we wrestled well. They have some guys and they’re really tough. We were gritty and tough all the way through.”

Tayven King stoked the home crowd when he posted an unexpected win to start things in a rousing manner at 170 pounds. He upset Zach Stratton 15-14.

Stratton, a returning state qualifier, used two takedowns and back points to open a 6-1 lead. But King, who placed sixth at district a year ago, fought back.

King hopped over Stratton, scoring a takedown for his first lead at 7-6 midway in the second period. They exchanged points back and forth until King got a takedown to draw even at 13 with 30 seconds remaining.

Stratton got an escape and appeared as if he’d hold on before King scored a final takedown with 12 seconds left to secure the win.

King’s practice partner, Trevor Senn, who is coming off a third-place finish at state, scored a first-period pin at 182.

“I was just pumped watching his win and ready to start the season off right,” Senn said of King. “He’s going to be a stud this year. He’s an unknown but I think he can place (high) in the state this year.”

McLean praised King.

“He’s got some real potential,” McLean said. “He showed me tonight he’s a competitor. We definitely weren’t counting on that one (as a win).”

At 220, Mead’s Malachi Thompson needed just 37 seconds for a pin.

Collin Grosse won by injury default over CV’s Wyatt Wickham. Grosse scored a takedown with 26 seconds left in the first period for a 2-0 lead, but Wickham injured his shoulder when he hit the mat.

After Mead opened a 55-0 lead, CV strung together wins from Brad Wiggs (138), Bridger Beard (145) and Braedon Orrino (152). But by then the damage had been done.

Mt. Spokane 55, Rogers 21: The Wildcats opened with seven straight wins to handle the visiting Pirates.

Blake Haney (120), Steven Hansen (126) and Jake Howerton (132) each won by pins to pace the Wildcats.

University 49, Shadle Park 22: The visiting Titans won nine of the first 11 matches including eight in a row to knock off the Highlanders.

Justin Jessup got U-Hi started with a pin in 1:23 at 145.

North Central 48, Ferris 30: The Indians used seven pins to top the visiting Saxons.

Returning state champs Clai Quintanilla (138) and Bryan Wais (170) each recorded a pin for the Indians.

In perhaps the best match, NC’s Gavin Gies edged Jack Byers 1-0 at 145.