GSL wrestling: CV pulls out big win with gamble

Even before the wrestling match between Central Valley and North Central began, CV coach John Owen fretted that he’d need to gamble.

He figured host NC was favored in eight of 14 matches and opted to take a chance and bump Braeden Orrino up from 145 pounds to 160 in Wednesday night’s opening weight class.

“That’s the risk,” Owen said. “We see how it pays off.”

It worked out well for the Bears (7-1). Though giving up nearly 20 pounds, Orrino parlayed four takedowns and a near-fall into a 10-4 decision that loomed large in a taut 33-26 victory.

“It’s a lot different,” Orrino said. “He’s going to try and pin because he’s so much bigger. As long as I stayed solid, I was fine. I scored every time he was off-balance.”

It was CV that wound up with eight victories, rallying from 18-6 and 23-15 deficits to overhaul the Indians (3-4) in a contest that could easily have gone either way. Five matches were decided by three or fewer points.

The 113-pound contest between CV’s Bradley Wiggs and Steve Kindya was scoreless through three periods before Wiggs earned a quick overtime takedown. NC built an early lead on pins by two-time state champion Izaec Quintanilla and runner-up Bryson Pierce, and added a technical fall by state champ Clai Quintanilla. Also victorious were state placers Bryan Wais and Junior Villaro in just their second league matches back from injury.

“It sucks to lose,” NC coach Luke Leifer said, “There were some matches where we were definitely outgunned, but we competed hard.”

• Also in the GSL, University (7-1) won two meets at Shadle Park (2-4) to tie Central Valley for first place heading in to Wednesday’s season-ending meet at CV. The Titans defeated host Shadle Park 49-24 behind six pins. Earlier, the Titans had seven pins and four forfeit victories in a 74-3 win over Gonzaga Prep (0-6).