Bend High wrestlers win thrilling Civil War over Mtn. View on the seventh tie-breaking criteria

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- It was Senior Night at Mountain View Tuesday, as the Cougars wrestling team hosted the Bend High Lava Bears. It's a long rivalry here in Central Oregon, also known as the Civil War, and finished on tie-breaking criteria.

Bend High pulled ahead after winning three straight weight classes, but with Mountain View's two pins headed into the final matchup, the Cougars pulled ahead 36-30.

However, the Cougars forfeited the 120-pound weight class, bringing the dual to 36-36. The referees went through the tie breaking criteria, and on the seventh one, forfeited matches, Bend High was crowned as the winner of the Civil War.

Before the dual, Mountain View head coach Dan Potts was optimistic about the meet. "I mean, the goal is to come out of here with a win. You know, it's fun wrestling Bend High, it is a rivalry."

Potts loves to compete against the Lava Bears, as he used to coach Bend High's head coach, Luke Larwin. "Luke was with someone that I coached back in the day. Nowadays, we face off against each other, which is awesome. He's done a great job building Bend High's program."

Larwin knew at some points throughout the weight classes results could go either way. "Our kids, on paper, we're outmatched, and I'm hoping that paper isn't going to matter tonight and that the mat is what's going to matter, and those kids are going to step it up. We're going to see some tough wrestling."

The night featured nothing but tough match-ups. Mountain View had two solid locks, as Scout Santos and Jackson Potts continue to prove while they are two of the best wrestlers in the state.

Captain Brady Johns also showed out. He wrestled against Bend High's lone senior and won by major decision. "We are feeling really good. This should be like it's a long time to be competitive, but i think we felt ready and ready to go."

Since the beginning, the Lava Bears were ready for the Cougars. "We are feeling great. It's going to be an awesome night. Yeah, it's good to get to get out here and just wrestle our best. Prove to the town who's the cross-town rival winners. "

Senior Sage Gorbett said, "It might seem individual, but sometimes it's just a team sport." It was an all around team effort by the Lava Bears. It started as Leif Larwin got himself a pin, followed by three straight victories in the heavier weight classes, two being pins, giving them the lead.

With three weight classes remaining, the lightweights for Mountain View came up clutch. Hunter Danks pinned his opponent, followed by Aiden Nelmes pinning his in the third round, causing the Cougar den to explode as they took a 6-point lead.

In the end, a forfeit took it down to 7th tie-breaking criteria, forfeited matches, giving Bend the win in an absolute thriller. 

"Every single kid matters. Every point matters," Coach Potts said before the dual.

With the end of the regular season, both teams now prepare for districts and the state tournament. "I think that our district tournament is going to be more exciting and tighter than it's ever been. maybe in my whole coaching career."       

Individuals and teams will battle for a glory at the IMC districts on Feb. 17th at Mountain View.