Hopper leads Ridgerunners to their first crown

By Robert Przybylo

Published: February 24, 2008

Grove wrestler Damien Hopper knew about the team's history, or the lack thereof.

Not only had Grove never placed in the top five of any team competition, but the Ridgerunners had only one previous state winner.

Hopper changed that on Saturday when he defeated Tuttle's Colton Roberts 4-3 to win the 3A championship at 103 pounds during the state wrestling championships at State Fair Arena.

Hopper's performance highlighted a magical night for Grove as coach John Ward's team captured its first ever team championship.

"Really, I don't know what to say right now,” Ward said. "We just wrestled as well as we ever had. We picked the right time.”

Damien's brother, Darius, earned a third-place finish. But maybe more importantly, Damien said, prepped his brother for the biggest tournament of his life.

"He would just constantly drill with me, making me better,” Damien said.

Damien Hopper finished his freshman season 38-0.

Knotted at two heading into the final period, Damien scored a two-point reversal and held on for the victory.

"Last year, I was anything but undefeated,” Damien said. "Once I scored that reversal I knew what I had to do. I couldn't ride him out, but I knew I could give a good enough defensive effort to win.”

Cushing was the odds-on favorite to capture the 3A crown, but it was Grove's consistency that carried the day.

A consistency that was six years in the making. Ward and Dan Davies have coached this group of Ridgerunners since seventh grade.

"Every year, we just got a little better,” Ward said. "The key was the way we wrestled this morning. We had four guys and all were supposed to lose. But no one told our kids.”

The Ridgerunners had two other finalists,but both Zach Housley and R.J. Bartley came up short.

Cushing placed second, followed by Tuttle in the team race.

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