Teasdale, Headlee put on show
Jefferson-Morgan’s Gavin Teasdale pins Waynesburg’s Cade Rush Friday during the 106-pound bout.
Waynesburg’s A.C. Headlee defeated Jefferson Morgan’s Aaron Mylan by technical fall in the 132 pound bout.
Jefferson-Morgan’s Gavuin Teasdale grapples with Waynesburg’s Cade Rush during the 106-pound bout Friday.
JEFFERSON – They packed the gymnasium at Jefferson-Morgan High School Friday night expecting something special.
And Jefferson-Morgan’s Gavin Teasdale and Waynesburg’s A.C. Headlee did not disappoint these scholastic wrestling fans.
Teasdale, a 106-pound freshman, is the No. 2 wrestler in the country in most rankings, and Headlee, a 132-pound senior, is ranked No. 1 in the country by Intermat and No. 2 by Flowrestling.
That’s right, country.
The two best wrestlers in Greene County, Teasdale and Headlee gave fans what they wanted: a dominating display of wrestling.
Waynesburg won the final four bouts to take a 38-22 victory from Jefferson-Morgan in their non-section encounter, but everyone left impressed.
Teasdale pinned Cade Rush in 2:32 in the eighth bout of the dual meet and Headlee won by 20-5 technical fall over Aaron Mylan. If points were given for flare, then Headlee came out ahead of Teasdale, performing a move called the “Magic Stick,” in which he propelled himself from a kneeling position over to the other side of Mylan, drawing “oohs” and “ahhs” from the crowd.
“I watched Jordan Oliver do that on YouTube,” said Headlee with a smile. “It could have been a little slicker.”
Headlee and Teasdale have known each other for years and both wrestle for the Young Guns club and Jody Strittmatter. They were roommates at the Who’s No. 1 Tournament, an event by Flowrestling that matched the No. 1 and No. 2 wrestlers in the country at their respective weight class. Headlee won his match, Teasdale fell to Cade Olivas of St. John Bosco in California.
“I love Gavin, and I love to watch him wrestle,” Headlee said. “I know he’s going to be a stud.”
Teasdale tore into Rush with such speed that fans could easily miss a takedown or turn if they happened to cough, sneeze or look away for a moment. That’s why it’s unfair to compare Teasdale to another Jefferson-Morgan great: Cary Kolat.
Kolat compiled a 137-0 record and four state titles with an outstanding combination of power and quickness. Teasdale depends on speed and positioning to score. And he is so fast, an opponent rarely has time to react to the moves.
“We’re different types of wrestlers,” said Teasdale. “His style is so explosive and my (strength) is speed.”
Teasdale led 17-4 after one period before pinning Mylan in 2:32. Teasdale had four takedowns and three tilts in two minutes. Impressive.
“The one thing I learned from Kolat was mental toughness,” Teasdale said.
“You look at (Headlee and Teasdale) and you know why they are so much better than anyone else,” said J-M head coach Mike Lesko. “It’s because this is their life. The greatest thing about that is they both have great personalities. Before a match, they get a glaze over their eyes and I know they’re ready to go. I just ask Gavin to look at me once in a while so I can give him support.”
Headlee believes Teasdale is on the right path by working with the Young Guns club and said it helped him in his career.
“I see a little of myself in him,” Headlee said. “I root for him but not against my team. We’re Greene County wrestlers and we stick together.”
Waynesburg head coach Joe Throckmorton agrees.
“It’s a tight-knit community,” he said. “We’re competitive and we want to win.”
Waynesburg opened a 12-3 lead after four weights, thanks in part to a pin by Shane Piper at 152, which was the first bout of the dual meet. Colin McCracken had a key win over Bill Bowlen at 182 and Terry Victor won an 8-6 decision in overtime at 160.
Jefferson-Morgan (0-2) got a decision at 220 and a forfeit at heavyweight before Teasdale gave the Rockets an 18-12 lead with a pin. Caleb Morris tied the bout after pinning JM’s Zach Tedrow in 1:07 at 112. Logan Henderson began the four-bout run with a pin at 126 and Shaun Wilson put it out of reach with a pin at 138.
“We wrestled well,” Throckmorton said. “There is always something to work on, but we’re coming together as a team.”