He went on to beat Pasco’s Robbie Vaughn, a two-time state runner-up. That came one match after defeating Tahoma’s Steele Starren, a state champ the previous year at 126 pounds.
Later, on the street outside the Tacoma Dome, some rival wrestlers wanted pictures with Craig.
“Some of the Curtis wrestlers were like ‘Can I get a video of you doing that for my friends?'” he said. “I’ve had tons of people that when they walk by, they’ll start barking.”
For his accomplishments, Craig is The Columbian’s All-Region wrestler of the year.
Off the mat, Craig is polite and mild-mannered like Clark Kent, all the way down to his glasses. The transition to Superman happens when a match approaches.
“My coach described it as almost like an alter-ego,” Craig said. “I like being that one guy. I want to be remembered. I want to be known. It’s nice being that one weird guy who yells.”
Some of his victories required almost superhuman abilities. Craig trailed 5-3 late in his championship match against Vaughn. He landed a series of moves that saw him score four points in the final 15 seconds for a 7-5 win.
That came one match after he rallied to force overtime, then beat Starren 5-3 in sudden victory.
It also came one year after scoring a two-point reversal with 28 seconds left to win his first state title, 2-1.
“I’m definitely known as the comeback kid,” Craig said. “When you’re down, you’ve got to string stuff together. If something doesn’t work, you’re immediately out of it and back into something else. Just nonstop relentless pressure.”
The pressure won’t stop for Craig after high school. He’s headed to the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he’ll wrestle for Army. The idea of one day becoming a Green Beret interests him.
“I expect it to be fun,” Craig said of basic training, which he’ll start in July. “I’m no stranger to people yelling at me and telling me to do pushups. I’ve been to plenty of intensive wrestling camps where their goal is to break you.”
With a future set for service to his country and hopefully more success on the mat, Craig will leave Camas knowing he made his mark.
“I’ve heard people say that everyone who wrestles in college is a state champ,” he said. “It feels good that I have two of them and that I left on a good note.”
Andrew Fritz, Mountain View
Senior placed second at 120 pounds. District and Clark County champion.
CJ Hamblin, Seton Catholic
Freshman won 1A state championship at 140 pounds, becoming school’s first state champ of any sport.
Nick Langer, Prairie
Senior placed third at 182 pounds. District and Clark County champion.
Jack Latimer, Camas
Senior was runner-up at 132 pounds, losing just twice all year. Pacific Coast and Rose City champ.
Scott Lees, Washougal
Junior followed in older brother and sister’s footsteps to reach 2A state title match at 138 pounds.
Dawson Lieurance, Columbia River
Senior was 2A runner up at 220 pounds. Clark County and district champion.
Gideon Malychewski, Camas
Junior was 4A state champion at 170 pounds. Ranked No. 1 in weight most of season. Tri-State champ.
Bracen Nash, Ridgefield
Freshman placed third at 106 pounds. Clark County and Bearcat Invite champ.
Danny Snediker, Union
Two-time state champion, winning this year at 160 pounds. Pacific Coast, Clark County at Gut Check champion.
Brayden Sofianos, Prairie
Senior was 3A runner up at 145 pounds. District champ and third at Best of the West.
Colby Stoller, Camas
Junior placed second at 195 pounds. District champ and third at Pacific Coast.
