Winners never rest
- Updated: February 21, 2016
Weaver junior Souder puts aside restless night, wins second straight state title, sets sights on a three-peat
Weaver junior Nick Souder has Alexandria senior Lane Trapp in a tough spot and about to close out their 113 state championship match Saturday. On the cover, Trapp (L) and Souder get things started. (Photos courtesy of Angela Trapp)
By Al Muskewitz
East Alabama Sports Today
HUNTSVILLE – Nick Souder figured he was going to sleep real good Saturday night. A whole lot better than he did the night before.
After a restless night where thoughts ran through his head like a marathon until well past midnight, the Weaver junior went out Saturday and methodically worked his way to a second straight state wrestling championship.
Souder pinned Alexandria senior Lane Trapp in 4:34 to win the 113 title at the Von Braun Center. He won at 106 last year.
It was his 63rd win in a row and 42nd pin. He is 65-1. His only loss came to Southside’s Jacob Smith, who was wrapping up the 6A 113 title about the same time Souder was winning.
“It’s pretty awesome,” Souder said of going back-to-back. “Now I just have to come back next year and be a three-peat.”
After the match Souder spoke about not being able to fall asleep overnight until well past midnight – he’s usually out no later than 11:30 the night before a match.
“I was a little nervous last night, I couldn’t go to sleep,” he said. “The guys were in the there chillin’, just playing Play Station, and after we got done playing I just sat in the bed thinking about the what-ifs and what-not and it was nerve wracking. Last year I wasn’t as nervous as I was last night.
“Just having the point of me having to repeat since I was the guy who was supposed to all that pressure builds up and then it gets to your mind and your body. I had to get my mind clear before I wrestled this match or it was going to be longer than what it was. If my mind wasn’t ready it probably would’ve gone six minutes instead of what it did.”
It was the fourth time Souder and Trapp were meeting and this time all Souder was looking for a chance to work the cradle.
He got on top of Trapp early despite the Cubs’ senior aggressive tack. He nearly had the pin in the second period, but Trapp wriggled free. Souder did get him on his back early in the third period and this time got his shoulder down to finish the job.
“I was wanting a little better,” Trapp said. “He’s a good wrestler and I knew it’d be a good match. I was hoping he wouldn’t pin me, but it was a good match. I’m disappointed in a way, but I couldn’t be happier in another way, because I gave it my all.”
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