Web posted
Thursday, February 21, 2008
State qualifiers
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Photo by David Wolman
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Graham aims for fourth straight state title
By DAVID WOLMAN
Traveler Sports Editor
sports@arkcity.net
Every day in practice, Arkansas City senior Trison Graham takes at least one glance at the wall of former state champions in the school's wrestling room.
You certainly don't have to tell Graham what's on the line this weekend at the Class 5A state wrestling tournament in Hutchinson.
History is within reach and Graham would like to do nothing better than cap off his career with four straight state titles.
That's been a goal of Graham's since he won his first state title as a freshman.
"That would be awesome," he said. "I worked hard for it."
Still, he knows that at least one upset occurs every year at the state tournament. Graham never takes anything for granted and realizes that it takes just one loss to derail someone's title hopes.
Graham can relate to that.
During his state semifinal match against Newton's Seth Metzler in 2005, Graham entered as a big underdog. Metzler entered with only one loss on the season (by injury default) and looked to win his second straight state title.
History didn't favor Graham, as Metzler won the two previous meetings that season. The third time was certainly the charm for Graham. He derailed Metzler's title hopes and went on to win the 112-pound title.
"It was state, anything can happen," Graham said.
He won the state title at 119 pounds as a sophomore and 125 as a junior.
Graham's unwavering demeanor is a big reason why he's been crowned state champion the last three seasons.
"I see the same kid every day," Ark City coach Shawn Silvis said. "I think his consistency is the reason why he's so good."
Graham will be the first person to tell you that he's never satisfied with his efforts.
"He always works. He always wants to get better. That's the reason why he's in the position he is," Silvis said.
Graham has wrestled since he was four-years-old, and won youth state titles and competed at national tournaments. But with only 20 high school wrestlers crowned four-time state champions in the sport's 78-year history in Kansas, he can finish where only few have finished their career: on top of the podium all four years.
If Graham wins his fourth straight title on Saturday, he would become the first Ark City wrestler since Devin Bahm (1993-96) to accomplish the feat. Justin Ware (1989-92) also won four straight titles for Ark City.
Graham won't have any premature celebrations, though.
"I'll get excited when I win (the state title)," he said. "I can't show it until then."
Graham's quest starts against Salina South's Trent Hoover. Graham enters Friday's first-round matchup with a record of 32-6, compared to 9-7 for Hoover.
Graham plans to attend the University of Central Oklahoma, along with teammate Cameron Riojas, next fall to wrestle.
Before Graham starts thinking about his collegiate career, he has one last order of business to take care of.
One glance at the wall of former state champions for Ark City is all the motivation he needs.
"There are plenty of guys up there that won three (state titles) and I don't want to be one of them," Graham said.
Above: Arkansas City qualified eight wrestlers for the Class 5A state tournament, Friday-Saturday in Hutchinson. State qualifiers are, kneeling, from left, Michael Martin, Garrett Jones, Aaron Hoag and Kash Biddle; back row, Clint Bruce, Scott Elliott, Cameron Riojas and Trison Graham.
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