In highschool wrestling, few issues are as prestigious or uncommon than changing into a four-time champion.
“In high school to do something four times means you’re perfect,” Union senior Noah Koyama mentioned. “Perfect is really hard to achieve.”
Koyama can now name himself excellent on the 54th annual Norm Friehauf Clark County Championships. The reigning state champion and Kelso senior Leah Wallway had been each topped four-time winners on Saturday at Heritage Excessive College.
And Camas sophomore Kannon Freschette proved how troublesome it’s to develop into a four-time champ. He knocked off two-time state champion JJ Schoenlein, denying the Skyview senior’s bid at changing into a four-time Clark County champ.
These had been amongst many highlights from the state’s longest-running highschool wrestling match.
For Koyama, Saturday’s victory was served with a aspect of revenge. He scored a 15-4 win within the 144-pound title match over Battle Floor sophomore Andrew Grey, who beat Koyama on Jan. 4 on the Intestine Verify match in Kent.
Koyama, who gained final yr’s Class 4A state title at 138 kilos, confirmed he’ll nonetheless be the wrestler to beat at Mat Basic subsequent month in Tacoma.
“In my heart and all the people that believe in me know that wasn’t me who wrestled on that day,” Koyama mentioned of his 12-8 loss to Grey. “I didn’t wrestle to my ability. I showed that out here today.”
Saturday was a double-milestone day for Wallway. Her win within the 105-pound title match was additionally the a centesimal of her highschool profession.
After incomes her first three titles wrestling for La Heart, Wallway scored a win for Kelso by pinning Jasmine Cha of Camas within the first interval.
How massive of a objective was changing into a four-time Clark County champ?
“It’s right under being a state champ,” Wallway mentioned.
A four-time state placer, Wallway is hopeful of her state title possibilities after bettering to 33-3 this season.
“I would say there’s definitely a big difference comparing the past three years to now,” Wallway mentioned. “I’ve wrestled way better. I’ve gotten some really good training in.”
No match was as low-scoring – and thrilling – than Freschette’s 1-0 win over Schoenlein within the 190-pound last.
Freschette earned his level with an escape after beginning the second interval in backside place. He then prevented Schoenlein from escaping backside place within the third interval.
Schoenlein, who’s hoping to develop into simply the fifth three-time state champ from Clark County, had overwhelmed Freschette finally yr’s Clark County and District 4 championships.
“I’ve been wrestling that guy for a while and he’s beaten me every time,” Freschette mentioned. “To finally get one over him is a big accomplishment. I think it shows you can go anywhere. You’ve just got to have the right mindset.”
Freschette helped Camas win the boys group championship with 264.5 factors. Micah Bennett (106), Arthur Jarrell (157), Simon Jarrell (175) and Luke Webb (285) additionally earned titles for the Papermakers.
Final yr’s group champion Skyview positioned second with 223.5 factors. Keegan Faust (126), Jonas DesRochers (132) and Mason DesRochers (138) earned particular person titles.
Union gained the ladies group title behind Janessa O’Connell’s third Clark County championship. The senior pinned Ridgefield’s Nicolette Hulse within the first interval of the 140-pound title match.
Portia Erickson (115), Keely Talavera (135) and Brook Bahr (170) additionally gained titles for the Titans, whose 263 factors edged second place Kelso (242).