2006 Grapevine Duals – Part I The Rivalry
by Peter Dewey
The Grapevine Duals has been a showcase for some classic wrestling matches between New Orleans Jesuit and Highland Park. In 2003, the dual came down to the final match between two sophmore heavywieghts. NOJ won the match 10-9 when time ran out with the NOJ heavywieght flat on his back. Final NOJ 37 HP 32. In 2004, HP led 33-22 with 4 matches remaining and Gallatin, Mason, Hobar and Lake yet to wrestle. They all lost. Final NOJ 34 HP 33. In 2005, HP had a team that would win UIL State and THSWCA Dual State titles; expectations were high. Final NOJ 50 HP 21. This rivalry seemed to have just about everything between the best teams in Texas and Louisiana … everything that is except a Highland Park victory.
So, as it should be at the Grape, when all other teams had been dispatched NOJ and HP stood alone and undefeated. NOJ was wrestling in its first event since reuniting as a team following Hurricane Katrina. Still it was hard to detect any post-hurricane weakness as NOJ’s average margin of victory was 43 points in 8 duals. HP had similar gaudy numbers until they were pushed to the limit by Arlington Bowie in the semi-finals squeaking out a 38-29 win.
The match started at 171 and Teddy Gambordella got things rolling with a 9-2 decision. Fred Rowsey followed with a fall and so did David Baker. Score HP 15 NOJ 0. Coach Marzoula wanted no part of LA state champ Mike Bosetta and forfieted at 215. But an improbale fall by William Shellenberger restored the 15 point differential. NOJ is always loaded to bear at the lightweights and Coach Marzoula figured he may have to weather a storm. He did. NOJ had to use two 103s due to injury but Michael Wiser at 103 and Kevin White at 112 each scored a first period fall and the fight was joined. At 119 Michael Grueszke and Chris Solari went into OT. Grueszke won and the match was even at 21.
At 125, Zack Vick got a hard-earned 6-3 decision and Briggs Montgomery also wrestled great to win 8-6. Again Coach Marzoula juggled his lineup and sent Derek Burdick out to face a very tough Brad Grueszke. Burdick wrestled well but Grueszke ultimately got the fall. HP 27 NOJ 27. Would it be de-ja-vu all over again? Even with Gallatin-Forsythe-Anderson-Newman remaining, HP could not rest easy.
I wonder if Chase remembered 2004 and the unlikely run of 4 straight victories NOJ needed to win that day? Remember or not, he set in motion a string of four straight HP wins in which no NOJ wrestler scored a point. Gallatin 7-0, AJ Forsythe 8-0, Kyle Anderson 9-0 and Drew Newman fall. The result a stunning 44-27 victory. Coach Marzoula was smiling like a man who just had a monkey jump off his back. He admitted: “We really wanted this one.”
Some say you don’t have a rivalry until both sides win. If that’s true then it’s official. We now have a NOJ-HP RIVALRY!
No one does a review better than Peter Dewey! Way to go, Peter. Congratulations to Highland Park on their super win. Great kids on and off the mat.
- Tony Brigmon, Arlington Bowie dad
Great Write-up Peter. You should be a syndicated sports columnist. The Grapevine Duals is a great competition. The healthy rivalry among the teams, outstanding wrestling and the funds raised to help NOJ exemplify the ideals that all sports should aspire to achieve. There is nothing, not even a Cat 5 hurricaine, that can deter the spirit of competition and challenge inherent in wrestling athletics.
Both Dewey and Mr Pate, our Houston rep have turned into great, really great reporters. For both this is there first job in journalism and I can not tell you how happy I am — and the other members of the ITW staff are also very pleased. That said do not have these guys move up! They’ll want more money! Actually what they do they do pretty much for free except for expenses.