Brothers in arms: Andover Central's Gentzlers go for more titles

Andover Central wrestlers Zac and Jake Gentzler are brothers, two years apart with the same shaggy brown hair.

And complete opposites on the mat.

When Zac dominates an opponent, gets a pin or a big point, there's not a tinge of emotion on his face. Same thing if he loses — the perfect poker face.

When Jake competes, every range of emotion is apparent on his face for all to see. He makes little attempt to hide his anger or joy.

Two different styles, yet they have yielded similar results.

Jake, a senior who has signed to wrestle at Arizona State, will try to win his third championship by defending his Class 5A title at 125 pounds today and Saturday at Park City's Hartman Arena. Zac, a sophomore, will try to defend his title at 103 pounds.

As different as their personalities are on the mat, neither lacks confidence. They have a certain swagger about them when they step on the wrestling mat that is not unlike a sprinter in track.

Often regarded as cocky, it's a confidence born of consistent success and the awareness of the countless hours spent conditioning and practicing.

"Zac's totally confident," said their dad, Dan. "That's 90 percent of why he wins all the time. He thinks he's better than everybody. Whether he is or he isn't. He knows he's going to win because the bottom line is he knows he's worked harder than anyone."

The Gentzlers have traveled to national tournaments since they were 5. The family's connection to wrestling dates back to their grandfather, Weldon (Doc) Gentzler, who often treated wrestlers while a chiropractor. Their father and uncle, Larry Gentzler, also wrestled.

You can still find Doc, who is blind, at the boys' matches, usually sitting close to the action with Larry. Dan sits by himself, most often at the top of the stands. No matter where he is, Jake finds him and can always hear his voice.

The experiences Zac and Jake gleaned from their countless tournaments and matches have resulted in two intelligent wrestlers.

"They have had so much mat time since they were kids," Andover Central coach Terry Alley said. "They have an awareness that a lot of other kids don't have.... And they both have a lot of natural ability. They have quickness and great balance and both are very competitive with a strong desire to succeed at it."

Dan Gentzler has regrets, though, about pushing Jake too much.

"I pushed him too hard when he was young," Dan said. "He kind of went away from me and away from the sport. I don't push him anymore. If he wants to go to the national tournament, I'm behind him. If he doesn't, I'm behind him, too."

It's why Dan is much easier on his youngest son, Gunnar, who is 10 and already a top-notch wrestler.

Jake quit wrestling for about three weeks following his sophomore season, when his dream of four titles ended abruptly with a loss in the title match.

"I told (Alley) after the match, I quit," Jake said. "I cried after the match.... (Alley) always reminds me, 'You quit after your sophomore year.' He said that after I won state last year. 'You quit last year.' Basically he's laughing at me saying that."

While Jake is an all-around athlete — he played soccer and baseball, too — Zac is all wrestling, all the time.

"Next year (Jake's) going to Arizona State and they'll find out he's really, really, really good if he'd ever put in a year's worth of training like everyone else does," Dan said.

Zac is the opposite.

"He wakes up doing pushups and running," Dan said. "Wrestling is in his blood."

Zac, who is ranked fifth nationally by a national high school wrestling website, intensified his resolve to be the best after he suffered his first loss of his high school career at the Baldwin tournament last month.

"I felt like I was in bad shape," Zac said. "I go on runs every night."

He's also improved his style and become an outstanding pinner.

As a freshman, he won by technical falls, taking down an opponent and letting them up over and over.

"This has made him more effective," Alley said. "When a kid tries to stop him from pinning him, it opens up the takedown."

Regardless of how this weekend turns out — both are favored to repeat — there's little doubt they'll finish their season like usual.

Jake will let the world know how he feels, Zac will be impassive. And that works for them.

This story was originally published February 25, 2011 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Brothers in arms: Andover Central's Gentzlers go for more titles."