By Jeremy McDonald
jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com
SALEM, Ore.—It’s been a longtime coming for Dallas’ Ashton Brecht.
Two year of coming close to the District Title and here he was again, his Senior Year, on the verge of destiny once again.
The Dragons 285-pounder pinned his way to the finals. Pinning Central’s Cameron Dodge in 17 seconds before following that with pins of Elijah Garrison in 3:41 and Corvallis’ Garrett Olbrich in 1:33 to get to the District Final against North Salem’s Octavio Maldonado.
“I didn’t know much about him, I’ve never wrestled him before and I decided to go out there wrestle your hardest. If you lose, you lose. If you win, you’re district champion,” said Brecht of Maldonado.
After a quick feeling out period, Brecht brought Maldonado to the mat for the 2-0 advantage before turning Maldonado for the 31 second pin for his first District Title. Four long years, the only thing up to this point to avoid Brecht who is a three-time State Placer, was a District Title.
As humble as Brecht is, he knows there’s work to be done preparing for the State Tournament in Portland coming up this upcoming weekend.
“It’s been great. Four long, hard years working on it. I have another week to prepare. You’re not always prepared, but I got another week before I wrestle at State,” said Brecht.
Isaac Jones (113), Cael Morrison (132) and Cooper Hise (195) all finished District Runner-Ups and Qualified for State.
Joining the four finalist going to State features Owen Hess (120, third) Colson Spencer (145, fourth), Kadin Thorsted (160, fourth), Garrett Munkers (195, fourth) as the Dragons placed 12 wrestlers in their third-place finish at the Mid-Willamette Conference Wrestling District Meet.
