Yep, cousin of THE Gutches we all know, Les (who was also left off the NCAA All-Time ballot)
From the Register-Guard of Eugene, Oregon
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December 21, 2004
Gutches puts Churchill in thick of race
By Adam Jude
The Register-Guard
By just doing what he’s done for the past three years, Churchill senior Bryson Gutches could dramatically change the landscape of Midwestern League wrestling.
Or not, depending on whom you ask.
Before transferring to Churchill earlier this year, Gutches won his second state title while helping Crater to the Class 4A state championship last season.
“I have no complaints, “Churchill coach Randy Robinson said. “It’s not every day you get a two-time state champion. He’s been a great team leader.”
The Lancers returned Monday from a weekend trip to Orange County, Calif., where Gutches won the 152-pound title in the Mann Holiday Classic, with 60 teams participating. Gutches now has his sights set on leading the Lancers to the district dual-meet championship.
Marshfield and Thurston, however, should have something to say about that.
“It definitely helps to have a state champ in your lineup, “Marshfield coach Wayne Van Burger said, alluding to Gutches. “But one guy doesn’t make a team.”
In a league-opening dual meet earlier this month, Thurston coach Mike Simons got a sneak peak at Gutches, who was 29-1 last season for Crater. Gutches already has committed to Oregon State, where his cousin, Les Gutches, a former Olympian and world freestyle champion, is an assistant coach.
“I don’t know if one guy changes the whole outlook – but he definitely helps, “said Simons, whose Colts were handed a 48-28 defeat by the Lancers.
Making his final run after 21 years as the Marshfield coach, Van Burger hopes his Pirates can overcome Gutches and the rest of the league to claim their third straight district title.
Marshfield, which placed eighth in the state last year, has won seven of the past 10 district titles and is favored to win it again this season.
With five returning state qualifiers and nine seniors, the Pirates are off to a 3-0 start in league dual meets. Andrew DeWater, who placed third in the state last season at 140 pounds, and Justin McGinness, sixth in the state at 125 pounds, anchor the Pirates’ rotation.
Thurston, second at districts last season, and Churchill should be right on the Pirates’ heels at the district meet, scheduled for Feb. 4-5 at Marshfield.
“If I had to pick a front-runner right now, I’d pick Marshfield, “Simons said. “But don’t count us out. We’ll make a run.”
Thurston features five wrestlers with state-championship experience, including junior Colby Covington, who was fourth at state last season.
In addition to Gutches, Churchill returns five state qualifiers and six other wrestlers who placed at the district meet last season.
The 152-pound division may be the league’s deepest weight class, with Gutches and Covington the preseason favorites to meet for the district title.
Gutches and Covington already have faced off twice this season, with Gutches narrowly winning both matches. In the league dual-meet opener earlier this month, Gutches earned a two-point takedown on Covington in the final seconds of the third round for a 6-4 victory; Gutches also defeated Covington 7-3 at the North Bend Coast Classic.
Also vying for the district crown at 152 will be Marshfield senior Mark Barnes, second at districts last season, and Churchill senior Joe Rinkle (third).
Willamette senior Josh Bendix was eighth in the state last season at 119, leading the Wolverines in a pack of the league’s second-tier teams, all of whom are chasing Marshfield.
“What you did last year has no bearing on this year, “Van Burger said. “There’s never any comfort. Once you start getting comfortable, you start getting your tail whipped.”
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