No drama for Newberg’s Isaac Hampton in successful defense of Reser’s TOC title (120 pounds)

“I just got out and wrestled my match, and it ended quickly, but that’s sometimes just how it happens.”

By René Ferrán | Photos by Leon Neuschwander 

Newberg junior Isaac Hampton was one of the many wrestling fans entertained by the 113-pound final between Roseburg’s Gage Singleton and Sweet Home’s Kyle Sieminski. 

After that bout went down to the wire, Hampton took center stage at Saturday’s Reser’s Tournament of Champions in the 120 final and, as he said, “just went to work, I guess, just doing the stuff that I normally do.”

That would be putting on a dominant performance in the brief time he spent on the mat. Hampton needed just 65 seconds to pin unseeded Crater freshman Jaret Hickey and wrap up his defense of the Reser’s TOC title he won last year at Liberty High School in Hillsboro.

“I just got out and wrestled my match, and it ended quickly, but that’s sometimes just how it happens,” Hampton said. 

A year ago, Hampton faced familiar foes on his way to the title, but this season, all four of his opponents were new to him, which meant a different approach for him that could pay off in three weeks when he defends his 6A state title at Memorial Coliseum.

“Last year, it was a really familiar tournament, and I was going out there knowing what to expect,” Hampton said. “This time, I was just going out there, having fun, scoring points. It was a really different atmosphere and a different mindset because it was like, go out there and do what I do. I didn’t worry about what they do because I didn’t know what they do. 

“So, having a first look at everybody has been treating me well, and that’s a good thing for me. I’ve been getting the better of these matchups with people I don’t know, so hopefully I can repeat that at state.”

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