Centralia’s Antonio Campos has always held himself to a high standard.
When he first began wrestling, he dreamed of becoming a four-time high school state champion. COVID-19 led to the cancellation of Mat Classic his freshman year, but the idea of winning three in a row was still possible.
He came close in each of the last two seasons, taking third in his sophomore year and finishing second last year as a junior, but a state title eluded him as he entered his senior campaign.
While the possibility of being a multiple-time champion was no longer feasible, Campos made sure that he would end his high school career on a high note.
“I didn’t want to have any regrets,” Campos said. “I just put it all out there on the mat.”
Campos did just that, going 39-2 in his 41 matches prior to Mat Classic XXXV, which took place last weekend at the Tacoma Dome.
He saved his best for last, however, winning his first-round matchup at Mat Classic 15-0 before pinning three straight opponents to earn his elusive state championship.
“This is what I’ve wanted my whole entire life,” Campos said. “It was just a rush of relief, and it felt amazing.”
The state title was the last of four championships that Campos won this year, as he also won league, sub-regional, and regional championships on his way to Tacoma.
While the win over Prosser’s Julian Joel Torres in the state final was exhilarating, especially with the winning pin coming with just one second left in the second period, Campos said his favorite win came one match prior.
In the semifinals, he went up against Orting’s Trevor Anderson, who entered the match 34-1. It was a match worthy of being the state championship match, but instead, they faced off for the right to advance to the final.
Anderson led 1-0 early in the second period, but Campos was able to pin him 42 seconds into that frame.
“Once I pinned him, I knew I had the championship in the bag,” Campos said.
The final wasn’t as close, as Campos was up 11-0 on Torres when he recorded the title-clinching pin. Afterwards, he shared a moment with his coaches, including Centralia head coach Scott Phillips and assistant coach Lance Somers, and later celebrated with his family.
“They just all were just a part of my journey,” Campos said.
His wrestling career isn’t over, as he’s currently weighing his options to wrestle at the collegiate level, but regardless of what happens moving forward, this past season will be one Campos won’t forget.
“It was just the mindset that this year is my year,” Campos said. “And I went out and got it.”
