STATE CHAMP: Johnson wins individual state title

Curtis Johnson helped lead Cimarron-Memorial to two straight state wrestling championships. For an encore, the junior transfer recently captured Chaparral's first individual state wrestling title in 10 years.

"Not only is it important to the wrestling program, it's important to the whole school," Cowboys coach Fred Meyer said.

Johnson, who finished fifth in the state as a freshman and third as a sophomore, said winning the state title meant more to him than he ever thought it would.

"That and more," he said. "(Because) this was my first time ever winning state. (My goal was to) come out as a state champ. I wasn't going in there overconfident, but going in I was pretty confident and determined to win. With my hard work, I was pretty confident."

Johnson, who went 41-2 at 130 pounds this season, avenged one of his narrow losses in the state quarterfinals, downing Durango's Chad Freel, 9-2. He beat Bonanza's Ben Ness, 5-2, in the finals.

"He was in control of every match," Meyer said. "He's like an athlete who wrestles. He has great athletic ability and balance and he has very good quickness. He's legit. He could go at anybody anywhere."

Johnson, whose only other loss this year was to four-time Class 3A state champion Skyler Woods of Virgin Valley (7-3), also won the last two individual Southern Nevada titles and captured the Sunrise Region crown this year.

"If feels pretty good to win it as an individual and it still feels good to win it as a team," he said.

As a team, Chaparral placed a surprising third at the Sunrise Region tournament.

"To take third at regionals was kind of a breakthrough tournament for us and we have almost the entire team coming back next year so things are looking good," Meyer said.

Aaron Davis, a junior, finished fifth in the state at 119 pounds while Joel Partridge, a senior, placed sixth in the state at 125. Craig Freeman, a senior, won the Sunrise Region title at 140 pounds.

"It was the first time for all these guys, except Curtis, to go (to state)," Meyer said. "They were a little spellbound at the whole experience."

Meyer said the other wrestlers looked up to Johnson.

"They love him," he said. "He was a good leader by example."

Johnson, who started wrestling in the third grade, said his experience at Cimarron-Memorial helped him this season.

"The experience was pretty good and that helped me out a lot this year, already getting two titles," he said. "In the beginning, it was pretty difficult (adjusting to a new school), but now I'm happy."

Meyer said he expects Johnson to defend his crown next year.

"Obviously, we think he's going to win state again," he said. "But what's more important is he's kind of found a niche and a home here."

Johnson said he has two goals for his senior year.

"To win state and get a scholarship," he said.