Free State High spent most of Tuesday night trying to catch up with Lawrence High.

Tim Giblin needed only 28 1/2 seconds to finish the Firebirds off.

“That’s three years in a row,” Giblin said after his pin of Andy Neighbors in the 215-pound weight class gave the Lions an insurmountable lead at Free State. “It feels good, especially my senior year. I was really happy. I really wanted it to happen.”

LHS heavyweight Blake Hegeman followed Giblin with a pin of Ricky Lockner, capping the Lions’ 44-24 victory. Lawrence won the city dual for the fifth time in six years.

“It looked like we were making a run at them, but we let down in a few spots,” Free State coach Darrell Andrew said. “We have a few seniors, but this is a really young team. For the most part, this is a sophomore- and junior-led team.”

Free State had just two its five seniors in the varsity lineup on Senior Night, and LHS rolled to a 28-9 lead after eight matches. Zach Hertzel (135), Chris Ermey (140) and Brendan Halpin (145) recorded three straight pins to give the Lions their big lead.

Cameron Reschke gave Free State a spark when he rallied from a third-period deficit to defeat Larry Tuthill, 12-9, at 152. Kyle Weinmaster (171) and Jesse Hardy (189) both won by fall to trim Lawrence’s lead to 32-24 with two matches left.

Giblin (3-2) had been penciled in to face Hardy (14-5) at 189, but LHS coach Mark Dulgarian inserted C.J. Williams in at 189 and dropped Giblin to 215 to face Neighbors (0-11).

“We didn’t know if I would have much of a chance against Jesse,” said Giblin, who is recovering from a dislocated shoulder and was wrestling for just the second time this season. “Coach moved me down because he thought I had a better chance at 215.”

Lawrence High's Pharouk Hussein flips Free State's Mike Goble during their 130-pound match. Hussein won, 18-10, and the Lions defeated the Firebirds on Tuesday night at FSHS.

Giblin wore a brace on his shoulder that restricted his movement, but it hardly mattered. He pinned Neighbors early in the first period, clinching the victory.

“It limits me,” Giblin said, “but without it I’d hurt myself. I have to get my stamina back because it restricts my breathing, too.”

LHS improved to 12-4 in duals, while Free State dipped to 1-2.

Lawrence High’s Nolan Kellerman ran his unbeaten streak to 29 with a 13-5 victory over K.J. Siebert at 160.

“He’s an awesome competitor,” said Kellerman, who beat Siebert for the second time in four days. “He gives me a better match every time we wrestle.”