Cooper McCullough eyes return to state finals

MOSES LAKE — Cooper McCullough walked off the mat at the end of an exhaustive quadruple overtime 3-2 loss to Central Valley’s Bryson Beard in the state finals.

And he had one question for his father: “So, if I would’ve rode him out I would’ve won, right?”

McCullough’s father affirmed his son’s suspicions, and then Copper broke down in tears.

The deciding point — and state championship — was on a last gasp escape by Beard.

“I knew what I had to do, but it wasn’t processing in my brain,” McCullough said. “I was just wrestling. So when we went into that last overtime and he got away I didn’t realize that I had lost until his hand was raised.”

That was one year ago.

Now, a senior and ranked No. 1 in the 132-pounds weight class, McCullough is driven to capture a state championship that has eluded him the past two seasons.

“The last couple years I was like it doesn’t really matter,” he said. “I still have my senior year so whatever happens, happens. I’m just trying to do my best, but it doesn’t really matter. This year, I don’t want to settle for anything but first. There’s a different motivation. I’m looking at it a lot differently.”

That quest to return to the state finals began at districts where McCullough dispatched Eisenhower’s Julian Alonso 12-1, wrapping up a top seed into regionals.

At the regional tournament held at University High School in Spokane, McCullough will likely meet fourth-ranked Cam Sorenson of University and third-ranked Bridger Beard of Central Valley.

“He’s out on a mission,” head coach Jaime Garza said. “Having placed second twice, I firmly believe he knows what needs to happen on the technique and on the preparing him; we can do that as far as the coaching staff and working with him.

But the mental piece, he seems to really have it dialed in. So, really pleased with the way he approached this district tournament as well as this regional tournament.”

McCullough had a unique postseason in 2014. He met teammate Trey Long in the district, regional and state finals.

Long, who wrestled at 113 pounds during the regular season, moved down to the 106-pound weight class for the postseason.

“I didn’t really look at him differently,” McCullough said. “He did what he had to do to do the best he could so I was fine with it.”

McCullough lost all three matches, but tightened the gap each time before dropping a 9-0 decision in the state championship.

Although one person had to lose, dominating a weight class in which McCullough and Long did for three weeks forged a bond that’s lasted.

“We were really good friends before that and we’re even better friends now so it’s really cool,” McCullough said. “It kind of bonded us I feel like, but it’s OK.”

From the coach’s perspective, it was a marvel for Garza to see two of his wrestlers advance to the state final and at the same time tragic, knowing that one would undoubtedly leave disappointed.

“It’s a double edged sword,” he said. “It was great to have that issue because that has happened maybe one time in the 4A where you’re able to pull two guys from the same weight to go all the way through and make it to the state finals. That shows a lot to our program. On the other hand, it was kind of bittersweet. You know what I mean? But I honestly believe that he learned quite a bit from that and the way they handled it was amazing. Lots of grace and respect for one another.

“But he’s not satisfied. I know that. He’s not satisfied with being a two-time runner-up. He has the potential to be a three-time state finalist and an eventual champion and that’s a rare feat in wrestling and especially in our wrestling room. He’ll really etch a special place in Moses Lake wrestling history if he’s able to do that.”

With likely two tournaments left in his high school career, the time is now for McCullough.

“I don’t see anyone stopping Cooper,” Garza said. “He’s a guy that’s focused and he’s driven right now.”