TACOMA — A fourth-place finish at the Class 4A state wrestling championships wasn’t the way Edmonds-Woodway’s Joe Trieu wanted to end his high school career.
Trieu came into last weekend’s Mat Classic XV wanting to come away with a state title.
But a 3-2 loss in the 112-pound quarterfinals sent him into the consolation bracket, where Trieu ultimately finished fourth Feb. 22 at the Tacoma Dome.
“It’s not the destination that we envisioned but the journey’s been incredible,” Edmonds-Woodway coach Mike Hanchett said.
Trieu, who also finished fourth at 112 last year, will be missed by his teammates and by Hanchett, who described Trieu’s influence on the Edmonds-Woodway program as enormous.
“From a coach’s perspective, it’s such an honor to have … such a quality kid,” said Hanchett. “He’s such a rare mix of skill and leadership and heart. The imprint and the legacy he leaves as he moves on sets a whole new standard for all those who have been associated with him, wrestled with him and will come after him.”
Trieu demonstrated his grit and resiliency after the disappointing loss to Cory Vombaur of Evergreen (Vancouver) in the quarterfinals. Trieu rebounded with a 14-0 decision over Wenatchee’s Reese Whitley and then posted a 15-5 decision over Noland Raybell of Rogers (Puyallup).
“I kind of refocused and then I came back and I think I wrestled a lot better after I lost my match in the quarterfinals,” Trieu said.
An injury default by Trieu’s next opponent then set up a rematch with Vombaur in the third/fourth place match.
Trieu led for most of the match but in the final 30 seconds, Vombaur scored a two-point near fall and a two-point takedown to earn a 6-5 decision.
The two losses at state did not shake Trieu’s confidence in his wrestling skills.
“Even though I lost to that guy before and I just lost to him now, during the match I was winning,” Trieu said. “If I relax and wrestle what I’m capable of doing, there’s no one that can actually beat me at this level … it’s hard to be in that zone. But when I was in it, I don’t think anyone could stop me, even at the state tournament.
“But I just lost focus and I lost. I have to say I enjoyed it. I didn’t get where I wanted to go but I couldn’t really ask for any more.”
Trieu isn’t sure if he will continue wrestling at college. It depends in part on whether the school he ends up attending has a wrestling program.
Trieu’s love for the sport will keep him active one way or another, though.
“I still want to be involved with it,” he said. “I’m still going to be helping at the middle school and at the high school and I’ll still be doing freestyle … I wouldn’t want to leave the sport. It’s the greatest sport in the world. It doesn’t get much better than this.”
NOTES
ACADEMIC STATE CHAMPS: The Mountlake Terrace wrestling team was honored as the academic state champion in the 4A classification at Mat Classic XV. The team, coached by Kanoe Vierra, compiled a 3.328 GPA. The Hawks have been named academic champions four times in the last six years. The award is given to the school with the highest GPA in its enrollment classification.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
