A tiny fracture almost cracked Cameron Rausch’s big dream of reaching state.
In December, the heavyweight injured his left foot, in a small area of the fifth metatarsal. The season at Newport Harbor High had just begun. Now, it looked like it was ending.
The doctor said two weeks off the foot was probably enough time for Rausch to get back into the wrestling room.
It still hurt. The doctor tagged three more weeks and it felt like the doctor slammed the door on Rausch’s foot.
His senior year was most likely over.
Which senior misses five weeks, a crucial part of the season, and returns to make a successful run into the postseason?
Not many.
Rausch had two options. Rehab for four hours in the pool and weight room each school day with no guarantees of a full recovery, or give up.
“Am I doing this for nothing?” Rausch asked himself day after day.
Rausch can thank himself for not quitting.
Rausch returned to the mat last week and won the Sunset League championship. Claiming his second straight heavyweight league title was not easy, but it was well worth it.
Rausch (19-2) advanced to the CIF Southern Section Inland Division individual tournament at Los Osos High in Rancho Cucamonga on Feb. 20-21.
Reaching the CIF State championships in Bakersfield next month is the ultimate goal. He needs to place in the top five at the section’s individual tournament and then top nine at the section’s Masters tournament the following week.
The tenacity Rausch showed in winning back-to-back overtime matches to win the league title leads you to believe this heavyweight has a lot left in the tank.
Rausch beat Fountain Valley’s Barry Gee, 5-4, in triple overtime. Heading into the first overtime period, it was Gee asking for a breather.
“The kid was so exhausted that he had to take a timeout,” Newport Harbor Coach Dominic Bulone said. “He almost threw up in the trash can. During the timeout, Cameron looked up to the crowd and raised his hands. He wanted his fans to start cheering. It was the last match of the evening. Everyone was going nuts.
“I don’t know if the kid ever threw up, but he was for a good 30 seconds leaning over the trash can.”
Rausch cleaned up the mess.
The situation was sticky. When the title match went to the ultimate tiebreaker, Rausch and Gee were completely soaked in sweat. They looked like they stood in a kid’s inflatable swimming pool.
First wrestler to score won.
