Knights earn championship Saturday

Tony Vehrs/Columbia Basin Herald<br>Arturo Barajas of Royal celebrates a victory on his way to the 125-pound state title Saturday.

by Tony Vehrs<br>Herald Staff Writer
| February 20, 2006 8:00 PM

TACOMA — Royal ended a 33-year state title drought by putting together 33 minutes of perfection during Saturday morning's semi-finals at the state wrestling championships.

Holding a moderate lead in the team race entering Saturday's action, Royal won six straight semi-final matches to effectively lock-up the school's first state wrestling title since 1973. During the early semi-final matches, Royal could do no wrong.

"We just rocked," said Royal coach Ben Orth. "We just kept hitting the jackpot."

Royal began their remarkable semi-final run at 119 pounds, where Jose Barajas defeated Warden's Robert Pruneda 8-4. Barajas controlled the match, building a 6-1 second-round lead and holding on for the finals berth. In the finals, Barajas pinned South Bend's Michael Einman for the title.

Royal's 125-pound wrestlers both reached the finals in dramatic fashion.

Omar Avelar scored a quick takedown in his match, but gave up a pair of escapes to tie the contest at two entering the third round.

Avelar struggled unsuccessfully to score from the bottom for most of the third period. However, with eight seconds remaining in the match, Avelar came up off the referee's whistle and hit a standing switch with four seconds in the match to score the reversal and the win.

Meanwhile, teammate Arturo Barajas fell behind 2-0 in the first round of his semi-final match. Barajas earned an escape just as the second round ended to move the score to 2-1.

In the third round, Republic's Nick Olson chose the bottom position. Barajas then scored a 3-point near fall to take the lead and win the match 4-2. The Royal junior went on to defeat Avelar in the finals to earn the 125-pound title.

At 130 pounds, Sam Villegas built a 6-0 first-round lead and went on to win by that same score.

Nels Toftdahl became Royal's fifth finalist with a 3-2 victory at 140 pounds. Leading 2-0, Toftdahl earned an escape as time expired in the second round to extend his lead. His opponent, Tonasket's Hector Aguila, scored a stall point and an escape late in the match, but Toftdahl was able to hold on for the win.

Angel Ledezma capped off Royal's championship run with an 8-5 victory at 135 pounds. Ledezma, clinging to a 6-5 third-round lead, scored a takedown of Liberty's Adam Thies to put the match out of reach.

Royal's other semi-finalists, Josh Mathis and Brian Gilbert, were unable to join their teammates in the championship finals. However, each finished the tournament with wins.

Gilbert earned fifth place with a 4-1 decision over Freeman's Jake Gunn.

Mathis defeated Warden's Anthony Martinez 6-4 in overtime for third place.

"It was an unbelievable two days for Josh Mathis," said Orth. "He beat two kids he's never beaten before."

Other placers for Royal were Andrew Butler at 135 pounds and Trandon Benson at 275 pounds.

Butler earned fifth place with a pin of Rainier's Brandan Virgil.

Benson, who lost his opening match to eventual champion Jared Little of Raymond, rallied by winning his next three matches to finish in sixth place.

Overall, Royal crowned two champions and saw 10 of 11 wrestlers place in the top six.

"The way the guys wrestled was incredible," said Orth. "It's been a great weekend."

The Royal coach was especially impressed with Jose Barajas' finals performance.

"He was in control the whole time," said Orth of Barajas. "I'm happy to see Jose win, he's chased it so hard.

"I would've loved to see the others win too," Orth added.

When asked about winning the team championship, the Royal coach gave the credit to his athletes.

"The team won it, not the coaches," Orth said.

While Royal will take some time to enjoy their championship, one cannot help but look ahead to next season.

The Knights return seven state medalists and another state veteran in Jordan Thomas. Of Royal's six state finalists, four will be back to help the Knights defend their state title.

Looming on the horizon for Royal are the 2006 2A champion Lakeside Eagles, who will drop down to the AB division next year.