Special report

Jacob White has won two state wrestling championships. Now the Trenton senior is chasing a third, and he isn’t walking into the season alone.

White leads a group of five Bulldogs with state tournament experience as Trenton High School prepares for its Dec. 1 home opener. Coach Charlie Bacon said the senior’s impact goes well beyond his record.

“He is just the type of kid that doesn’t come around every day, and he will be our key leader and example to follow for all of our younger kids,” Bacon told the Trenton Telegraph.

White’s resume includes three state medals. Last February, he went 44-3 and won the Class 1 title at 120 pounds.

That championship came with a dose of redemption. White fell 14-10 to California’s top 120-pounder in the district wrestling final, then beat him 15-5 by major decision for the state crown five days later.

“His accolades speak for themselves,” Bacon said. “I know he has big goals for his senior year and I’m looking forward to it.”

White wasn’t the only Bulldog on the medal stand last winter. Ayden Ortega took fifth at 106 pounds as a freshman, and he spent the off-season working to climb higher.

“Ayden Ortega, who is a sophomore this year, is also a returning state medalist from last season, and I know he is looking for a higher spot on the podium this year,” Bacon said. “He put in a lot of work in the off-season, so that should translate well into this year.”

Three seniors round out the group with state experience. Jackson Bethards and Peyton Baker both qualified last season. Baker reached state at heavyweight in his first year in the sport, and Barrett Clark qualified two seasons ago.

Bethards also used the summer to sharpen his game.

“Jackson has also put in a lot of work in the off-season, so I know he has his goals set and will work hard to achieve them,” the coach said.

The talent doesn’t stop there. Several other Bulldogs came within a match or two of state last season.

“We have five kids who have wrestled on the big stage before and several more who were just shy of the state tournament last season,” Bacon said. “It is going to be a great year for us.”