I knew he was a state champ that wrestled a lot like me. We had very similar styles.

My goal all year has been to be a state champ. That's what I'm going for.

Everyone is going to say 'I want to be state champ. You only get so many shots at the finals.

I was just really excited the hard work paid off. I wasn't able to get the New England title, but this is even better. My goal was to place from the beginning. A couple of my friends who competed in it before told me the key was to be in top shape.

He got two points for the near fall with three seconds left in the period. I was frustrated and the reversal in the third ended it.

It really wasn't intimidating, but I was a little nervous before the first match. It helped relieve some jitters.