Columbia 106-pounder Michael Frye came dangerously close to snagging a title at last year’s Wasko Memorial wrestling tournament.
Frye didn’t have to wait much longer. In the 50th edition of the tournament in Columbia’s centennial celebration year, the sophomore came away with a pinfall victory in the third period, finally snagging a title and electrifying the gym.
106 CHAMP FINAL
Michael Frye with a 4:34 fall for @CHSraiders_wr pic.twitter.com/v8EmDKKdcy
— Sean Fitzgerald (@fitzonsportsbsr) January 6, 2024
Columbia constructed a tunnel to add to the atmosphere of a big event, with Columbia in the top three heading into the title matches. That moment drew a big roar, and for Frye, let him finish the tournament out strong.
“It was nice, especially after last year,” Frye said. “I had a heartbreaking loss in the finals. I think I lost that one, 9-8, and I was so close to winning and I couldn’t finish it through. This year, I feel that I set the pace for my teammates in order to help our team.”
A year ago, Frye was a freshman in a lineup that included veteran stalwarts such as three-time state placer Cole Schulke, state qualifier Hayden Garrow and other 2023 class seniors such as Garrett Szuch and Tony Governale all returning as fans in this year’s tournament.
He came two points short of qualifying for at least the fifth-place match at the Division III district at Perry, 4-2. For a first-year wrestler then, he took those lessons in stride and was looked at as one of the Raiders’ more promising talents.
He’s now wrestling with the confidence of a guy who has been through the rough bumps of a first year at the high school level. That’s not to mention having the size aspect he had to overcome last year be less of a distraction in 2023-24.
“Last year, I came in weighing 102 pounds. This year, I’m cutting down to the weight,” Frye explained on what has changed between each season. “And my confidence. I just feel more supremely confident going into my matches, and I feel better wrestling out there.”
Frye got to learn from among the better wrestling classes Columbia has had in years, with a lot of the small aspects of a Schulke or a Garrow showing through in his matches. While he noted he did need to finish quicker, that’s what tournaments like the Wasko can help with.
Speaking of the former two, Frye went and watched them on all three days of last year’s state tournament. That 4-2 decision at Perry’s District stings, but he wants to be in that atmosphere. Frye thinks he really can make a run this year.
“I was pretty close, I was almost there,” Frye said as he shook his head. “I lost that match and after(ward) I felt horrible. After how I started off this year, I’ve been on kind of a hot streak. I’m trying to drive myself to get down (to Columbus), I want to go.
“This is something I’ve been wanting to do forever. This has been one of my top goals for a while.”
