This story is part of The Columbian’s High School Winter Sports 2017-18 Preview, available in the Sunday, Dec. 17 print edition.
Nothing gave away that James Rogers was hurt.
The Battle Ground wrestler dominated the 160-pound bracket at the Mat Classic state championships in February. He pinned two of his opponents; the other two didn’t score a point.
Rogers did it all with a torn tendon in his ankle.
“I wasn’t one-hundred percent in the postseason,” Rogers said. “Even though I told myself I was, I really wasn’t. I think I grew from that, trying to overcome it.”
After going 42-0 as a sophomore, Rogers took his first significant break from non-high school competition since his eighth-grade year. He hasn’t wrestled a match since winning the state title.
Now Rogers is healthy, refreshed and ready to rumble. That’s bad news for anyone wanting the junior’s crown.
“I’m super excited to compete,” he said. “I think I’m in the best shape I’ve been since the state finals.”
In wrestling, Rogers is carrying on a family tradition. Like Jay Rogers, his father, Rogers is a Greco-Roman national champion, having won the 152-pound Cadet division title in Fargo, N.D. in 2016.
“James is far and away above my footsteps,” said Jay Rogers, Battle Ground’s head coach who wrestled at Oklahoma State. “He’s a much better technical wrestler than I was.”
Rogers began competing for youth wrestling clubs at age 7. Within three years, he had won statewide freestyle and Greco-Roman tournaments.
“He just picked it up really quickly,” Jay Rogers said.
Rogers hasn’t decided what weight he’ll wrestle at this season. He currently weighs 178 pounds, but said he might drop back to 160 to defend his title there.
Going up a couple of weight classes wouldn’t be a big deal for Rogers. He went up two weight classes between his freshman and sophomore years.
While Rogers takes pride in having the title of ‘defending champion,’ he believes his success is due to not being consumed with anything beyond the next match or the next point.
“I don’t really think about being undefeated or having a perfect record,” he said. “It’s just about wrestling and doing the best I can do.”
Wrestlers to Watch
Hikaru Abe, Skyview: The senior won the 105-pound state title last season. Two-time Clark County champ.
Allison Blaine, Hudson’s Bay: Placed third in state at 130 pounds last season as a freshman. Regional champ.
Six Buck, Union: Placed seventh in state at 152 pounds last season as a freshman.
Dylan Goodpaster, Evergreen: The senior placed seventh in state at 170 pounds. Regional champion.
Tanner Lees, Washougal: The senior was fourth in state at 145 pounds and a regional champion.
Sam Malychewski, Camas: The senior placed fourth in state at 182 pounds last year. Top contender at 195.
Jackson McKinney, Skyview: The senior placed second in state at 182 pounds last season. Has committed to wrestle at Oregon State.
Danny Snediker, Union: Placed fifth in state at 145 pounds last season as a sophomore. Clark County champion and runner-up at regionals.
Rylan Thompson, Camas: The senior placed seventh in state at 132 pounds despite breaking hand early in season. Third in state as a sophomore, sixth as freshman.
Key Dates
Dec. 29-30, Pacific Coast Championships: Top teams from across the Northwest gather at Mountain View for a history-rich event.
Jan. 12-13, Clark County Championships: Local wrestlers from all classifications vie at Skyview the title of county’s best.
Feb. 9-10, Regional Championships: 4A competes in Pasco, 3A in Spokane. 2A and 1A schools stay in Southwest Washington.
Feb. 16-17, Mat Classic XXX: State titles are on the line in the 30th edition of Mat Classic at the Tacoma Dome.
