Gus Amerson of Newberg finds road to second TOC title much easier (Reser’s TOC 150 pounds)
Newberg junior Gus Amerson’s road to a second Reser’s Tournament of Champions title last weekend was much easier than last year’s.
Three of Amerson’s victories at last season’s TOC went the distance, including a taut 1-0 decision against West Linn’s Charles Spinning in the 145-pound final.
Last weekend, only Amerson’s title-clinching victory against Crater sophomore Kutter Christensen lasted all six minutes — and his 8-0 major decision in the 150 final at Hillsboro’s Liberty High School, during which he had two takedowns and a reversal, was never in doubt.
Otherwise, he breezed through the bracket, posting two technical falls and a second-round pin to win his first tournament at 150 after wrestling all season at 157 pounds.
Amerson’s victory improved him to 32-5 this season and was the Tigers’ only individual title en route to the team’s third consecutive Reser’s crown.
Gus Amerson of Newberg (photo by Taylor Balkom)
“Obviously, that was great,” Amerson said. “But it’s just a milestone on the way to the big event, which is districts and state. We’re just looking to wrestle our best and get better every day going toward that state tournament.”
Speaking of state, both Amerson and the Tigers experienced disappointment at Portland’s Memorial Coliseum last February. Spinning avenged his loss to Amerson in the state final, helping the Lions end Newberg’s reign atop Class 6A.
Amerson saw his second TOC title as just another opportunity to get on the mat and “perfect my wrestling to get to the next level.”
