TACOMA - Bellingham senior Nolan Takemura may have fallen short of accomplishing his career-long goal of winning a state title Saturday night at the Tacoma Dome, but just about everything went right for Takemura during his final season as a Red Raider - except for the result of his final match.
Outfitted in a 1986 Bellingham singlet that was worn the last time the Red Raiders won a state title, and with former Bellingham wrestler and older brother Michael Takemura on hand to watch Nolan's final match, the Bellingham 126-pounder lost to Deer Park's Cole Harris in a 11-2 decision.
"He's a really strong guy and has solid technique," Nolan said. "It was a really tough matchup."
Harris opened the championship match with a takedown, then scored a second two-point takedown after a reset toward the end of the first period. With 30 seconds left in the second period Cole earned a three-point near fall to take a 7-0 lead until Nolan finally got on the board with an escape.
But Nolan couldn't match with his opponent's technical skill as he surrendered four more points in the final round.
"I'll just remember the whole experience, really," Nolan said. "It's been my dream to reach the finals since my freshman year. It's a pretty good way to end my season."
Despite the loss, Bellingham coach Tom Hinz knows his wrestler's effort will never be forgotten.
"Before the match, I told him he's in the record books and that now he just has to write the final chapter. I thought he's done great, and he's lived up to expectations. He wrestled tough all day right through the finals. Beginning as a freshman, people may have looked at him as a baseball player, but nobody would say now that he isn't a wrestler."
Nolan was excited to have Michael, who was sitting mat side to watch his younger brothers' final match, on hand to watch him wrestle for a state title.
"It was awesome," Nolan said. "He was here for baseball, but it got rained out. It was kind of one of those God things."
Although he didn't accomplish his goal of winning a state title, Nolan did complete a task before the match even started that put a huge smile on his face
"I saw (the singlet) on Hinz' wall at school," said Nolan with a laugh. "I asked him if I made it to the state finals, if I could wear it."
Hinz acknowledged that, despite its being an extra small, Nolan wore it admirably.
"That's 1986 state," said Hinz with a smile. "(Nolan) has reached every bar this season. He can wrestle on bottom and he can wrestle on top. It was good. He's a state finalist."
