Shane Cunanan Central Valley Year: Junior Sport: Wrestling Weight: 122

For the past two weeks, Central Valley 122-pound regional champion Shane Cunanan has been on top of his sport.

“He’s peaking,” said coach Dale Ethridge. “He’s rock-hard confident right now.”

Last Saturday was the coup de grace, an upset victory over undefeated and defending state champion Aaron Mann for the title.

“Before he went out, I said, ‘Are you ready to wrestle from a deficit in the third round?”’ said Ethridge. “He said, ‘Yep.”’

Cunanan didn’t have to come from behind, but the score was tied when he got a takedown for the victory. It was his first win in five tries against the Richland junior.

“A couple of times, they were very close matches,” said Cunanan. “I just try not to think he’s beat me; I try to be as positive as I can.”

In his third varsity season, Cunanan had previously placed third and fifth at state, always wrestling in weight classes behind state champions.

Because of that, however, he had never won a tournament title.

Now, in successive weeks, he has won twice, district and regionals over those very state champs, including Mann.

“It’s definitely the highlight of my career,” said Cunanan.

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