Andy Roberts University Year: Junior Sport: Wrestling Weight: 129 Pounds

A broken thumb prematurely ended last wrestling season for University’s Andy Roberts.

Roberts, who won a state championship as a freshman, is approaching this year as if he were a rookie. That means not dodging any worthy opponent.

“I’m just trying to prove myself again and will wrestle whoever I can to get tough matches in,” the Titans junior said.

That has included his only loss, 4-2, to three-time Idaho state champion Brett Lawrence of Sandpoint in the Tri-State Tournament finals.

Against Lawrence, Roberts had to shed four extra pounds from his normal 129-pound weight and was disappointed in the way he wrestled on his feet.

Last weekend he won the Pacific Northwest Classic championship over a wrestler who figures to place a fourth time in the Alaska state tourney. He had beaten a two-time Montana champion 11-2 and lost in sudden-death to Lawrence.

“Andy’s wrestled the toughest schedule, without a doubt,” said U-Hi coach Don Owen. “His only loss all year was in a donnybrook and the Alaska coach said he was surprised Andy beat his wrestler in the finals.”

It shouldn’t have been. With improvement on his feet, Roberts has two years to repeat as a Washington champion.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo