After two long days on the mat, it all came down to one final match. Competing through Friday’s early rounds and returning Saturday for the championship, Bishop Gorman wrestler Maddox Frerking ‘26 stayed locked in under pressure and finished the state tournament on top, earning a state title and cementing his place among the school’s elite wrestlers.

Wrestling at 165 pounds, Frerking credited his success to the demanding preparation that pushed him to near perfection. “Having faith in my coaches really helped,” he said. “They’re really hard on me but they force you to correct everything—your technique, your mindset.” His season required constant sacrifice from early morning and late night practices to film study and time away from family. 

The state tournament consisted of competing on Friday and Saturday, with Saturday being the final rounds. For Frerking, Friday’s matches proved crucial. He faced Slam Academy and several other tough opponents, using each bout to build momentum. “It gave me a lot of confidence going into the finals,” he said. “It cemented that feeling of, ‘Hey, I’m supposed to be here.’” Though nerves were present, a sense of calm took over when he was on deck.

In the championship match, Frerking stuck to his game plan—staying technically sound and wearing his opponent down. He faced Matthew Stosek of Green Valley High School where he struck early with a takedown off the whistle, added another in the second period, and controlled the match from there. By the third period, he could sense the shift. “By that time, my opponent didn’t really want to be there anymore,” he said. Frerking secured the victory by points. 

As the final seconds ticked away, emotion set in. “I looked at the clock and thought, ‘Oh my gosh, I can do this,’” he said. When the match ended, he celebrated by slamming his headgear to the mat, throwing a backflip, and jumping into his coach’s arms. Reflecting on the moment, Frerking called the title a true achievement. “I worked really hard for this,” he said. “It means a lot to wrestle for Gorman and give the wrestling program more praise and glory.” His victory added to a standout season for Bishop Gorman High School, competing in one of the state’s toughest divisions. The championship not only capped off his season but also set a standard for the program moving forward. 

For future wrestlers, Frerking kept his message simple: “Just be relentless. Be there day in and day out, trust the process. God’s got you.”