The way Free State High wrestler Grant Steinbach tore into his Olathe South opponent, it looked to be a quick match.

It wasnâÂÂt, but it was never close, either.

Steinbach threw a bear hug and took down the Falconsâ Brad Smith 10 seconds into their 215-pound match at WednesdayâÂÂs dual between the Firebirds and Olathe South at Free State. For the next five minutes, Steinbach worked his way to a 16-2 lead before pinning Smith with about 30 seconds left in the third period.

âÂÂWhen you can finish it in the first 10 seconds, you go for it,â Steinbach said.

Unfortunately, that also seemed to be the Falconsâ approach to the dual.

South won eight of the first 10 matches, staking a 44-12 lead. FSHS would win the rest — three on pins — but came up short in a 44-33 loss.

âÂÂI actually didnâÂÂt think weâÂÂd put that many points up,â FSHS coach Darrell Andrew said. âÂÂOlathe South is one of the top teams around. TheyâÂÂre deep and theyâÂÂre experienced. WeâÂÂre very young, very thin, especially at the low weights.

âÂÂBut we gave it 100-percent effort. I canâÂÂt ask any more from them.âÂÂ

Sophomore Brandon Allsbury (103 pounds) and junior Adam Berg (135) provided the only wins in the first 10 matches, both on pins.

Despite that obstacle — including three open classes from Free StateâÂÂs side — the Firebirds got big matches from their big wrestlers.

Senior Kyle Frank, nursing a broken bone in his right thumb, had difficulty maintaining position against SouthâÂÂs Paul Herman in the 171-pound match. It didnâÂÂt stop him from dictating the matchâÂÂs pace, as he constantly shot on Herman. But Frank couldnâÂÂt wrap around HermanâÂÂs leg with his right hand, keeping him from dominating.

It wasnâÂÂt until a late escape and takedown that Frank snared an 8-5 win.

âÂÂYou can tell it completely changes his style,â Andrew said. âÂÂWeâÂÂre going to have to neutralize that using more hooks and pulls.âÂÂ

Nick McGovern, at 189 pounds, was down 4-2 early to Tony Perez, but asserted himself by grabbing Perez in a bear hug, whipping him onto his back and pinning him.

McGovern wrestled last year at 160 pounds and is still adjusting to the weight-class change, but Andrew is confident the senior will succeed.

âÂÂHeâÂÂs wrestling completely out of his element,â Andrew said. âÂÂBut IâÂÂll go out on a limb and say heâÂÂs the most talented 89-pounder in the state.âÂÂ

SteinbachâÂÂs pin made it 44-27, and heavyweight Jeremy BustamanteâÂÂs pin of Mike Storiale pulled the Firebirds into respectable range of one of the Sunflower LeagueâÂÂs top squads.

âÂÂWe really competed well,â he said. âÂÂWeâÂÂre not there yet, but weâÂÂre working hard. As long as they come out in the match and wrestle hard, weâÂÂll get there.âÂÂ