Washburn works toward strong finish

The writing is on the wall.

Well, it was a white board on the Alburnett wrestling room wall, but the message was just as important to senior Hunter Washburn.

The sign is a constant reminder of how many days left until the start of the state wrestling tournament, which is the beginning of the end of his prep wrestling career.

'I look at that and each week (and) the number keeps going down,” Washburn said. 'It really just drives me and pushes me forward.”

The two-time state champion has less than a month left on the mat as a Pirate. Washburn is trying to make the most of the limited time remaining, facing one last shot to return to the top of the awards stand in Des Moines.

'Coach has really been preaching this is getting to the end of the season, and not just the end of the season (but) my career as a high school wrestler,” Washburn said. 'I've started to think about that more and more.”

Washburn is ranked fourth at 138 pounds in Class 1A by The Predicament. He is 27-4 with his only loss to a 1A wrestler coming to Lisbon's two-time state champion and top-ranked Carter Happel. Washburn has 168 career wins with a little more than two weeks until the postseason. He said he doesn't have many days left to train and he is doing the best he can.

'I just have to leave everything out on the mat,” Washburn said. 'I can't hold back. It's starting to be more fun.”

Washburn captured titles at 106 and 113 pounds as a freshman and sophomore. Last year, not only did Happel derail his title bid, but Washburn missed the podium.

Washburn lost by fall to Happel in the quarterfinals and suffered a shoulder injury that left him ineffective in the following consolation-match loss.

The sting of the finish lingered, keeping Washburn off the mat for a time after the season. Washburn decided to turn it into a positive.

'Last year, after I lost, and I couldn't compete anymore, that was devastating,” Washburn said. 'I couldn't go and compete. I couldn't redeem myself. That fueled me throughout the season and throughout summer, training and working my tail off in the room.”

After Washburn's title at the J-Hawk Invitational, Alburnett Coach Kane Thompson praised him for his effort since the beginning of January. He didn't shy away from saying it might be the best he has seen from Washburn.

'It's the toughest I've seen him,” Thompson said. 'He's been laser focused since Christmas break.”

Thompson said the sense of urgency has become apparent in the practice room. He said he has seen a spike in Washburn's intensity and has developed into a better leader because of it. The benefits could be shared with the team as the Pirates look to get back on top of the team race after a runner-up finish last year.

'I think he understands this is his last opportunity at Alburnett,” Thompson said. 'He's cranked it up a bit.”

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