As any wrestler will tell you, winning a state championship is tough, but to win back-to-back titles in the same weight class, is downright impossible.

Bamberg-Ehrhardt junior Freeman Cooler recently pulled off this feat after defeating North Charleston's Travis Boone in the finals of the Class A/AA Individual Wrestling Meet. Cooler won the 130-pound division for the second-straight year with a 4-3 decision win.

"I can't explain how it feels to win back-to-back championships," Cooler said. "I'm on cloud nine."

Cooler made his third trip to the state meet, and second in the 130-pound division.

"No matter how many times you compete on that stage, the nerves are always the same," Cooler said. "I just knew that if I concentrated on my matches and did my best, I would be fine."

Cooler's first match ended in disqualification, as his opponent was unable to make weight for the match. Cooler moved on to the next round, but would have to wait another day to take the mat.

"I just tried to go back to my room and get some rest," Cooler said. "I just kept thinking about what I had to do to win."

In Cooler's semifinal match he defeated Chesterfield's Dave Michaud by decision to set up the match with Boone. Michaud came into the match ranked first in the state in the 130-pound weight class, and had led his team to a team title earlier in the year.

"After that first match, everything began to click," Cooler said. "Some of the nerves went away, and I told myself, whatever happens, happens."

In the final Cooler got two takedowns to take an early lead, but Boone got a reversal, and with 1:20 left in the match Cooler made his move. He went in for another takedown, but his head hit Boone's mouth, and caused a gash. Cooler would need six staples in the top of his head.

"They bandaged me up, and I was joking with the referee," Cooler said. "I just shook it off and went right back to shooting at him. I was able to get another takedown, and eventually win by decision. It was an unbelievable feeling."

Wrestling hurt has been something Cooler has had to deal with all year, as he made three emergency room visits during the season and had one scary ankle injury that almost ended it all.

"Halfway through the season I messed up my ankle," Cooler said. "We thought it might have been broken, but it turns out it was a major sprain. I was out four weeks, and thought that might have ended any chance at repeating at state."

As soon as the ankle healed, Cooler got back to work, frantically trying to get back in shape after his four week hiatus.

"I just kept looking at the big picture," Cooler said. "The chance was there for me to go back to state and compete. You just have to play the cards you're dealt. Having been injured makes winning at state that much sweeter."

Cooler attributes a lot of his success to volunteer wrestling coach Ken Ahlin.

"Coach Ahlin taught me so much this year, and helped me in getting back to where I needed to be to compete."

Cooler, who also plays baseball and football for the Red Raiders, says that winning a third-straight state title is not something he is giving much thought... right now.

"No matter what happens next year, this championship is special," Cooler said. "I had some doubts when I got injured, but never thought about giving up. A third straight title would be cool, but that picture hasn't developed yet, we'll worry about that when it gets here."

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