Newman Earns Spot on State Podium

TACOMA - WP sophomore wrestler Tristan Newman made history his freshman year by be­coming the first WP wrestler to make it to State level competition. He set the bar even higher this year, by taking fourth place in the 285 pound class at the Tacoma Dome Mat Classic 26.

In 2012, Newman failed to place at the State tournament, losing his first two matches to com­petitors from LaConner and the Methow Valley. This year, Newman won two of his four matches. "Tristan entered the State tournament a lot more relaxed than he did last year," said WP Coach Lanny Adams. "He walked into the Tacoma Dome without having the pre-wrestling anxieties that he (and the coaches) had last year."

Newman's first match took place on Friday af­ternoon against 2013 second place winner Daniel Fruh of North Beach. Lanning said that Newman wrestled well against the taller opponent, but that Fruh was able to counter moves to his advantage, pinning Newman in 1:18 in the second round. Fruh contin­ued on to win the State title for the 285 lb. weight class. "It makes the loss easier to swallow when your opponent takes the title," said Adams.

Newman entered his second match against South Bend's Marcos Perales, determined to advance. He came out ag­gressively and dominated both rounds, pinning Perales at 35 seconds into round two. "This is where Tristan made the decision he was going to get onto that podium," said Adams.

Newman won his third match against Jacob Klingensmith of Republic. Klingensmith avoided contact from Newman in the first round and the grapplers began round two with a score of 0-0. Klingensmith won the coin toss, deferring his choice to Newman who chose the top position. Newman controlled Klingensmith, eventually pinning him with an arm bar/head lock at 1:35 of the second round and securing a spot on the podium.

Tristan stepped onto the mat in his last match of the season against No. 1 seed Octavio Alejandre of Lake Roo­sevelt in a bid for 3rd/4th placing. Alejandre controlled Newman for the first round, ending at 2-0. Newman chose the top position in round two but struggled to break down Alejan­dre, who eventually broke free to end the second round 3-0. Alejandre won the match by pinning Newman 16 seconds into the third round.

"Tristan had an awesome season," said Adams. "He was one of the lead­ers for the team and he motivated the rest of the team. He didn't make his goal of winning the state competition but he again made WP wrestling his­tory by being the first to place at State. We had a great group supporters that travelled over the pass to encourage and support Tristan," said Adams.

Newman may not have achieved his goal of winning State this year, but the sophomore still has two years to make that dream a reality.