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Phetxoumphone goes back-to-back

Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Camron Phetxoumphone of Webster City works on Crestwood's Anders Kittelson in a Class 2A state championship match at 113 pounds on Saturday night in Des Moines.

DES MOINES — It stung for a while, but once the state tournament rolled around, Camron Phetxoumphone let go of the hurt that had snapped his 73-match win streak.

Phetxoumphone avenged a loss at districts and claimed the Class 2A state title at 113 pounds with a 2-1 win over Anders Kittelson of Crestwood inside Wells Fargo Arena.

“My performance was overall not bad throughout the tournament,” Phetxoumphone said. “I wish I wrestled a little better, but I’m happy to be a two time champ for Webster City.

“It means a lot for my community and program.”

Getting his hand raised for the second time and exacting revenge was well worth the wait for Phetxoumphone.

“Right away, he was upset (losing to Kittelson at districts),” said WCHS head coach Chad Hisler. “We talked about guys like Drake Ayala (going up and battling) and told him that he is a competitor, too. He bought in and went out and did it.

“He had just a week to prepare, but he was working hard for this win.”

The Webster City junior is one of three multiple-time state champions in Webster City history. As a senior, Phetxoumphone will look to join Bart Chelsvig (1985, ’86, ’87) as the school’s only three-time winner.

Phetxoumphone did just enough against the third-ranked Kittelson in a defensive slugfest.

“I’m happy to get that back,” Phetxoumphone said. “But we’re only getting better from here on out.”

In the championship match, the pace was comparable to the first meeting, won by Kittelson by a reversed 2-1 final.

“Cam is just really technically sound,” Hisler said. “There was not a lot of scoring in either match. They both are really good offensively and defensively.”

In both matches, each wrestler had an escape. The deciding point in the match was a penalty on the loser.

Phetxoumphone won his state matches by fall, major decision, and two decisions.

He is 117-7 in three seasons, with a fifth place medal and the two championships.

Webster City has three state champions in as many seasons, with Drake Doolittle crowned king in 2019. The Lynx have also had a finalist in four of the last five seasons, with Doolittle advancing to the title round in 2017.

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