When you wrestle and your last name is Gutches, expectations of greatness are almost inevitable.
But the latest Gutches to grapple at the high school level ” freshman Brock ” has a refreshing perspective about the sport and where he fits in.
Brock’s older brother, Bryson, and his cousin, Les, were three-time state champions and Les was a three-time NCAA champion and a two-time Olympian.
Les’ younger brothers, Jason and Chad, were also state-caliber wrestlers.
“I just try to fill my own shoes, not the ones that were made in my name, “Brock Gutches says.
The younger Gutches, who carries a No. 2 state ranking at 103 pounds, scored a mild upset in the championship finals of the Southern Oregon Conference district tournament last Saturday when he posted a 7-3 victory over No. 1 ranked Mitchell Lofstedt of Roseburg.
Brock Gutches, who started the season at Churchill High in Eugene before his family moved back to the Rogue Valley, has won 37 of 38 matches. His only loss was a 6-5 decision to Lofsted at the Coast Classic in December.
Brock Gutches has attended several clinics with Les Gutches, most recently in Burns last summer.
“He doesn’t put any burdens or expectations on me ” he just wants me to wrestle my best, “Brock Gutches says.
Grants Pass High basketball coach Bill Cowell doesn’t pretend to know much about wrestling, but he knows a pin when he sees one, especially when it’s his son doing the pinning.
Sophomore Mike Cowell put the squeeze to Klamath Union’s Brandon Ray in the final period of their 119-pound, third-place match at the district tournament. The victory earned the younger Cowell, who trailed 11-6 when he got the fall, a trip to the Class 4A state tournament.
Bill Cowell’s oldest son, Matt, plays basketball for Southern Oregon University and his middle son, Billy, is a senior on this season’s GP hoop team. How did Mike Cowell migrate to wrestling?
“He just wasn’t interested in basketball, “Bill Cowell says. “The other two would be out in the driveway shooting, but Mike was always doing something else.”
Reach reporter Don Hunt at 776-4469, or e-mail [email protected].
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