Traynham Onaway’s newest state champion

March 7, 2014 Editor featured

by Angie Asam-Staff Writer

Onaway High School junior Joe Traynham became the third wrestler to earn a state title, but the first to accomplish the feat as a junior; the other two champions did so in their senior year.

medal-presentation — THE SMILE on this state champion’s face said it all. As coach Mark Grant presented the medals, Onaway High School junior, Joe Traynham smiled huge as he waited to receive his chart. Traynham is Onaway’s third state champion but is the first non-senior to accomplish a goal many young boys set for themselves. Traynham defeated defending state champion Roddy Hamdan (right) of Hudson 14-6 to claim the title. For more on the state title run and more photos see pages 7 and 8. (Photo by Angie Asam)

He accomplished the feat by defeating the defending state champion in the finals by a major decision.

The state champ, along with state placer Zeke Nave and state qualifier Casey Watson, were welcomed home Sunday with a police escort through town and a welcome reception at the school.

Monday evening Traynham was presented a resolution f

rom the city commission proclaiming “Joe Traynham Day” in the city of Onaway.

“I will never forget the look of pride and exuberance when he got up after the final whistle and I yelled out to him, ‘You are Joe Traynham, you are a state champion!’” said coach Mark Grant.

Part of the thrill of being the state champion is having your coach present the medals for your weight class. Traynham has done plenty of offseason wrestling to help prepare him for what he accomplished but according to both his coach and Rogers City wrestling coach Pat Lamb his no fear attitude has a lot to do with it to.

For more of Traynham’s run at the state title, Nave’s state medal run and Watson’s experience at the finals as well as more words from the coach, see the story on page 7 and 8.