Huskies take third at 2A Mat Classic

TACOMA – The Othello Huskies finished third at the 2A Mat Classic for the second-straight year over the weekend, and senior Terrill Freeman wrapped up his high school career with a state title in the 195-pound bracket.

Othello, who had 11 wrestlers qualify to compete at the Mat Classic in Tacoma, had eight wrestlers place; junior Isaac Campos (113), freshman Mason Russell (120), junior Anthony Abundiz (126), senior Forrest Roylance (138), senior Brandon Garza (182), Freeman (195) and senior Josue Solorio all took home medals.

“It shows a lot (about the program), that’s back-to-back years where we had a good chunk of placers,” Head Coach Rudy Ochoa II said. “Hopefully we can keep that going for the future and motivates kids that didn’t quite get on the podium. That they can understand that they’re just as good as anybody, and the way it worked out that it just wasn’t their day that day.”

Orting (258.5 points) and W.F. West (132 points) finished atop the 2A classification at this year’s Mat Classic, but the Huskies finished narrowly behind the Bearcats with 126 team points. The race for second came down to the finals, where W.F. West was able to take second.

“It was fun to see that the kids were all in it,” Ochoa said. “They were watching us watch W.F. West, and W.F. West was watching us. Back-to-back third places, top three in the state – that’s something to be proud of for our program and I’m happy that this group was able to perform.”

Freeman pinned his opponent, Hunter Sonnenberg of Orting, in the second round of the 195-pound finals. After suffering an injury earlier in the match, the senior battled back to earn his eventual state championship.

“It’s a great feeling,” Freeman said. “I’ve worked my whole high school career – every day I woke up, went to the weight room, went to all the morning practices. I did everything I could, and knowing that I did everything I could and coming out on top, it’s a great feeling to have.”

After his win, wrestlers and coaches swarmed Freeman off the mat to celebrate with the 195-pound state champ.

“It felt good to feel their support and love for me,” Freeman said. “Knowing that I can be an inspiration for them in that win, I’m just so grateful for all of them. I couldn’t have done it without them.”

Just before the overtime period in his semifinals match, Freeman spoke his soon-to-be state title into existence when he told Ochoa that he was the best in the state.

“He pretty much said it as confirmation before the match happened, that he’s the best in the state,” Ochoa said. “When you’re a coach and you hear someone say that they’re the best in the state before they go into their finals match, you can’t help but feel that this guy is mentally ready.”

In a “lights-out” season where he wrestled some of the best competition at the Mat Classic, Tri-State and Gut Check tournaments, Freeman came out on top as Washington’s best wrestler in the 2A 195-pound division.

“Whether it’s first place, state placer or state participant, you see the hard work that these kids put in every day,” Ochoa said. “Every day they put in this work, all the sacrifices, all the dedication, all the hard work, all the heartbreak, all the highs and lows – it all comes out when stuff like this happens. It just feels great, I’m glad for Terrill (Freeman).”

Also in the 2A finals was Campos, who matched up against Orting freshman Michael Fritz in the 113-pound state finals. Campos placed second in the bracket after losing to Fritz by an 8-0 decision.

“It didn’t go his way, but he has nothing to hang his head about,” Ochoa said. He’s had an excellent season again, he’s back-to-back years in the top three. I’m so proud of him, we’re all so proud of him. His community is proud of him, he’s put in a lot of work over the years and it’s showing every time he gets out there on the mat.”

With Freeman and fellow seniors Forrest Roylance and Brandon Garza graduating this spring, the Huskies will still return most of their roster that made it to the 2023 Mat Classic. For those returners, the experience of competing at the Tacoma Dome will motivate them for the future, according to Ochoa.

“It should be a huge confidence booster,” Ochoa said. “Surely for tournaments, it’ll help with seeding. We had underclassmen place, we had a freshman place in the top three – hopefully, that’s a boost, that’s back-to-back years we’ve had a freshman placed in the top three.”

Ochoa thanked everyone for helping the Huskies make it to state, from school personnel to the fans and parents.

“Thank you to all the school personnel, admin, community members, parents, fans,” Ochoa said. “It really was a good turnout in attendance. You can hear the roar on every takedown, and every match you could hear the eruption in the dome. I know the kids really appreciated that.”

As for Freeman, there isn’t a much better way to close out a career than being a state champion.

“It feels really good to go out on top,” Freeman said. “Great way to end my career.”