In high school wrestling, few things are as prestigious or rare than becoming a four-time champion.
“In high school to do something four times means you’re perfect,” Union senior Noah Koyama said. “Perfect is really hard to achieve.”
Koyama can now call himself perfect at the 54th annual Norm Friehauf Clark County Championships. The reigning state champion and Kelso senior Leah Wallway were both crowned four-time winners on Saturday at Heritage High School.
And Camas sophomore Kannon Freschette proved how difficult it is to become a four-time champ. He knocked off two-time state champion JJ Schoenlein, denying the Skyview senior’s bid at becoming a four-time Clark County champ.
Those were among many highlights from the state’s longest-running high school wrestling tournament.
For Koyama, Saturday’s victory was served with a side of revenge. He scored a 15-4 win in the 144-pound title match over Battle Ground sophomore Andrew Gray, who beat Koyama on Jan. 4 at the Gut Check tournament in Kent.
Koyama, who won last year’s Class 4A state title at 138 pounds, showed he will still be the wrestler to beat at Mat Classic next 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 said of his 12-8 loss to Gray. “I didn’t wrestle to my ability. I showed that out here today.”
Saturday was a double-milestone day for Wallway. Her win in the 105-pound title match was also the 100th of her high school career.
After earning her first three titles wrestling for La Center, Wallway scored a win for Kelso by pinning Jasmine Cha of Camas in the first period.
How big of a goal was becoming a four-time Clark County champ?
“It’s right under being a state champ,” Wallway said.
A four-time state placer, Wallway is hopeful of her state title chances after improving to 33-3 this season.
“I would say there’s definitely a big difference comparing the past three years to now,” Wallway said. “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 in the 190-pound final.
Freschette earned his point with an escape after starting the second period in bottom position. He then prevented Schoenlein from escaping bottom position in the third period.
Schoenlein, who is hoping to become just the fifth three-time state champ from Clark County, had beaten Freschette at last year’s Clark County and District 4 championships.
“I’ve been wrestling that guy for a while and he’s beaten me every time,” Freschette said. “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 team championship with 264.5 points. Micah Bennett (106), Arthur Jarrell (157), Simon Jarrell (175) and Luke Webb (285) also earned titles for the Papermakers.
Last year’s team champion Skyview placed second with 223.5 points. Keegan Faust (126), Jonas DesRochers (132) and Mason DesRochers (138) earned individual titles.
Union won the girls team title behind Janessa O’Connell’s third Clark County championship. The senior pinned Ridgefield’s Nicolette Hulse in the first period of the 140-pound title match.
Portia Erickson (115), Keely Talavera (135) and Brook Bahr (170) also won titles for the Titans, whose 263 points edged second place Kelso (242).