A pair of grudge matches highlighted the finals of the Discovery Canyon Invitational, won by the hosts 200-122.5 over Doherty on Saturday.

The 135-pound title bout featured two wrestlers meeting for the third consecutive week. Thunder senior Jeff Brown, ranked No. 7 in 4A by Tim Yount’s On The Mat Rankings, got the better of The Classical Academy senior Zane Leaf (3A No. 7) for a 3-0 decision, but the match was closer than the score would indicate. A non-call by the official on what at first glance appeared to be a 2-point takedown by Leaf in the final minute changed the dynamic of the match.

See photos from the Invitational

As one coach noted, when Brown hit that mat he didn’t panic and his shoulders and hips were squared, which apparently was enough to convince the official that Leaf had not gained control. Brown admitted afterward that had Leaf been awarded two points he would have had no objection.

The friendly rivals have been friends since wrestling in club together following their freshman years. The win gave Brown the decisive victory in the series after winning the first meeting by six points and losing the second by four.

“I wrestled my heart out and didn’t quit,” Leaf said. “Jeff’s a great wrestler. I couldn’t score off the bottom. He did his stuff and beat me in certain areas. I did my stuff and just couldn’t get the conquest tonight.”

Brown had extra incentive going into the match.

“Tonight was good,” Brown said. “That was the last match I’ll ever have in this gym. I knew whatever happened I would remember it for the rest of my life. I wanted that to be a win.”

In the 171 final, Discovery Canyon senior Michael Ellsworth beat Legend junior Brendan Vineyard 5-3 in overtime. Vineyard beat Ellsworth in the semifinals at state in overtime last year.

“He’s tough,” Ellsworth said of Vineyard. “He’s a really good guy but mean on the mat. I’m happy I could get this last one.”

Discovery Canyon had six individual champions.

Doherty senior Rylen Pimienta beat Thunder junior Tim Call 15-7 in the 125 final.

“They placed me at the No. 1 seed,” Pimienta said. “From an individual standpoint, it’s nice to finish there at the end of the day.”

The Classical Academy junior Zach Dillon scored a 7-3 decision over Mead junior Greg Rademacher for the 160 title. It was the first major tournament Dillon has won since returning from a dislocated tibia that ended his sophomore season after nine matches.

“At the beginning of the season I would never have guessed that I’d be here,” Dillon said. “This is huge. I’m looking forward to see how I do at regionals.”

Doherty’s Evan Boulton (left) drives into Discovery Canyon’s Kevin Smiley (right) during their 130-pound semifinal match at the Discovery Canyon Invitational. Boulton won the match. Photo by KIRK SPEER, SPECIAL TO THE GAZETTE

KIRK SPEER