When Ethan Rotondo first set foot inside Union High School, he was a skinny new kid from California.
A little more than a year later, anyone who sets foot in the Union wrestling room will know the skinny on Rotondo’s strength.
When they look on the wall, they’ll see his photo among the four state champions in Union’s nine-year history.
And when they look on the record board, they’ll see Rotondo’s name at the top. The junior recently became the first Union wrestler to complete a perfect season.
When he won the Class 4A 106-pound state title at Mat Classic last month in Tacoma, Rotondo completed a 40-0 season in which he beat the eventual 3A, 2A and 1A state champions.
“It’s just really cool to leave a legacy and that when you’re gone to think how long that will be there for,” he said.
For his accomplishments, Rotondo is The Columbian’s All-Region boys wrestler of the year.
Having grown up near Modesto, Calif., Rotondo moved to Clark County before his sophomore year. He gained attention statewide by placing second at 106 pounds at the 2015 Mat Classic.
“It was awesome because down in California, that’s a huge accomplishment to take second,” Rotondo said. “I was really happy, but it wasn’t first. It wasn’t a championship. So of course you need to train harder to get that championship.”
Many wrestlers increase in weight as they get older. But Rotondo decided he had a better chance at winning a state title if he stayed at 106, the smallest weight class in high school.
Rotondo never went to drastic measures to cut his weight down. Rather, he stayed disciplined and never veered too much from his wrestling weight.
Breakfasts were usually oatmeal. Lunch was a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. He drank as much water as he wanted and usually ate a large dinner.
His favorite indulgence? Bottled green tea.
“I never had to wear jackets or sweat (clothes) to lose the weight,” he said.
Once on the mat, Rotondo is relentless. He pushes the tempo, usually keeping his opponent on the defensive.
Even if he’s ahead by several points, Rotondo wrestles like he desperately needs to score.
“I just keep pressuring them,” he said. “Eventually he’ll get out of position and I’ll capitalize and score. That’s kind of the whole match, just that cycle repeated.”
You won’t see Rotondo taking many risks or throwing his opponent across the mat.
“I’ve never really felt like I was a showy kind of wrestler,” he said. “I’ve kept to the basics, the stuff that wins matches such as good position.”
One point at a time. One period at a time. One match at a time.
Those stacked up over the course of the wrestling season.
And when the stacking was finished, Rotondo had reached a height nobody could match.
Isaiah Av, Evergreen, Sr. — Fourth in 4A state at 132 pounds. Four-time Mat Classic participant. Clark County and district champion.
Dallas Goodpaster, Evergreen, Sr. — 4A state runner up at 285 pounds. Four-time Clark County and district champion.
Tommy Strassenberg, Union, Jr. — Three-time state placer, taking fourth at 152 pounds. Regional, Clark County and Pac Coast champion.
Will Taisacan, Mountain View, Sr. — Fourth place at state for third straight year. 113-pound runner-up at regionals.
Rylan Thompson, Camas, So. —Third place in 4A state at 126 pounds. Clark County champ and two-time district champ.
Kody Walls, Prairie, Sr. — Fourth in 3A state at 132 pounds for second straight year. 3A Greater St. Helens League wrestler of the year.
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