Aaron Laughery Lakeside Year: Senior Sport: Wrestling Weight: 148 Pounds

Three years ago, freshman Aaron Laughery of Lakeside forfeited to senior teammate Bart Orth in a district wrestling match.

He enabled the injured former state champion to have another chance to qualify for state.

“Aaron stepped aside and took the back door to regionals,” said coach Scott Jones. “It was a special moment.”

The gracious gesture may have cost Laughery, now a senior, a state bid. The rewards, however, have kept coming ever since.

He’s twice placed in the State A/B tournament, last year taking fifth for the state-champion Eagles.

Over the past two weekends, Laughery truly showed his stuff. He won the 148-pound championships of the Deer Park Invitational and Inland Empire Classic.

“He’s gone against tough competition the last two weeks,” said his coach.

Included were wins over a State AA runner-up, a AAA third-placer and one other state qualifier.

“I’m not surprised,” said Laughery. “This is where I should be.”

When he’s not wrestling, Laughery is racing to championships with his Lakeside buddies in the high school drags at Spokane Raceway Park.

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