Breaking the silence: Sprague’s David Sherman enjoys atmosphere surrounding second wrestling title

“It’s just so hard to describe the experience you get on the mat, seeing everyone in the crowd cheering.”

By René Ferrán | Photos by Taylor Balkom 

Sprague senior David Sherman spent much of the winter fighting a stomach bug that left him nauseated and throwing up after practices and unable to wrestle at big-time events such as the Reser’s Tournament of Champions.

However, he always knew that no matter what, he would be back at the 6A state meet to defend the title he won in June.

“Even if I was still throwing up, I was going to come back,” he said. “I would throw up before every match to come back out here.” 

Sherman ended up winning a second title, gutting out a 3-2 decision over Newberg senior Hayden Hampton in the 220-pound final Sunday at Sandy High School by scoring an early escape in the third period and keeping Hampton at bay the final 1:51 of the match.

“Any time Sprague wins over Newberg, it’s a good day,” Sherman joked. “It was a little help to get us through losing the team title.” 

Sherman’s first title came against teammate Cole Steketee at the OWA state meet in Newberg, with the gym becoming eerily quiet as the two wrestled. 

“I’d like to be at the Coliseum, but it’s almost like a different feeling every time,” said Sherman, who wrestled at state his first two years at Memorial Coliseum. “It’s just so hard to describe the experience you get on the mat, seeing everyone in the crowd cheering.” 

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