Freshman wrestler competes at state

Freshman Kody Johns made a strong showing at the State Wrestling Championships in Salem on Thursday and Friday, February 16-17.

Johns won his first two matches on Thursday, then lost in the quarterfinals on Friday.

Johns defeated Dustin Trinklein of Riverside 4-2 by decision in his first match on Thursday. It was tied up at 2-2 for most of the match. The third period started with both wrestlers on their feet. Kody took down Trinklein for two points to win the match 4-2.

“We heard he (Trinklein) was rated fifth,” said Coach Tony Cosby. “I was thinking to myself how everything must look so big to Kody, so many mats and so many kids and that if he could just get a win it would help settle his nerves and give him a little momentum and it did.”

Johns went on to wrestle Michael Rees of Cottage Grove and won by a fall in just 44 seconds.

“It was so exciting,” said Cosby. “Rees looked fairly strong and Kody’s fairly thin and Kody just went out there and completely controlled him.”

Cosby told The Nugget that Johns wrestled well on Friday also, but not well enough to win.

Johns lost 3-2 to Sandesh Gurung of Sherwood and then lost to Craig Morgan of Estacada.

“Kody’s last match was fairly close,” said Cosby. “Kody was trying everything on Morgan and almost had him pinned, but Morgan turned Kody over in the last nine seconds to win.

“I’ve never seen a kid (Johns) work so hard and not get some breaks,” said Cosby. “I’m pretty stricken. I just can’t stop thinking about it. I wanted him to win so bad.Kody’s not only a great wrestler but a great kid. He’s got great personality and great character.”