Blaine wins Battle at the Border

Unbeaten Derreck Camba rallied in the final period to win his first Battle at the Border title and fellow Blaine junior Riley Fritsch posted a shutout to claim his second championship in the 15th annual event, leading the Borderites to the first team title in their home showcase for any of the current wrestlers.

Camba (10-0 overall) scored on a pair of 2-point takedowns in the final 35 seconds at 132 pounds on Saturday, Dec. 12, to beat Sedro-Woolley junior Michael Leger (4-1), a transfer from Mount Vernon.

“Other than my seventh at 2A state last year, this was my biggest moment in wrestling,” said Camba, who helped Blaine top East Valley 248-239 for team honors. “It means everything to me and shows my hard work is paying off. When I was down by one (3-2), I told myself I had put in too much time to stop now.”

Fritsch (8-0) rallied from a scoreless opening quarter to beat Ferndale’s Braiden Klimp 5-0.

Ferndale senior Sam Cleary (7-1), a 3A state meet veteran, earned the first tournament title of his career with a 5-2 win over Lynden junior Brody Weinheimer, scoring all five of his points at 195 pounds early in the opening period to help the Golden Eagles finish a strong third in 200½ points. Ferndale junior Ben Broselle (8-1) won at 182 with an 11-5 decision over Kentwood’s Matt Van Brunt.

“I’ve been training all summer after training all spring and now everything’s worth it, to win my first tournament title,” said Cleary. “I scored those five points off his opening throw.”

BLAINE TAKES TITLE

Senior twins Anthony Frey (9-1) and Caleb Frey (7-2) took seconds at 145 and 152 to make a major difference for the Borderites, who had 9 medalists (top six places) and needed each.

“Our kids are pretty excited,” said coach Craig Foster. “It’s a big event for the town and for our school.”

MOST INTRIGUING FINALS MATCH

Broselle was ready right from the first wrestling practice after suffering a football season-ending hip injury in the opener. He held on nicely for his impressive 11-5 win over Van Brunt after taking a 7-0 lead.

“I just wanted to keep a cool head and I did that,” he said.

WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED

Blaine’s Anthony Frey and Caleb Frey, along with brothers Jonathan and Nathanael, called sister Nicole Frey out of the stands to receive a surprise bouquet of flowers while the large crowd erupted with cheers. Nicole graduated from Western Washington University earlier in the day.

This story was originally published December 12, 2015 at 7:56 PM with the headline "Blaine wins Battle at the Border."