Mission accomplished

CHUGIAK — Dawson Budke has been on a mission.

Each time the Chugiak High School senior hits the mat, there’s a thought Budke can’t escape. It’s an image burned into the mind of the Mustangs wrestling standout. Last season, as he capped his junior season competing on Alaska prep wrestling’s biggest stage, Budke was left gripping his knee, while in obvious agony.

Budke was competing for his first prep wrestling state title, battling South Anchorage’s Rami Pellumbi in the 160-pound final of the 4A state wrestling finals. Budke, who had already suffered a serious high ankle sprain late in the regular season, was dealt another blow.

This time it was a knee injury, and a premature end to his first appearance in a state final.

Budke has spent the last calendar on a mission. Through surgery and the vigorous work through a rigorous rehabilitation and recovery, Budke had his sights set on a return to the state final.

And last weekend, Budke did just that, defeating Chad Edwards of Lathrop High in a 7-2 decision in the 170-pound final.

Budke went into the state championship at 35-0 and left the tournament unbeaten after topping Abraham VanHout 6-1, Simon Ganchenko of Colony 9-0, and Christian Kurka of Palmer 7-5 to get his shot at Edwards in the title bout.

“This season it’s driven me a lot,” Budke said recently of the motivation to rebound from the injury.

It’s a drive that’s not foreign to Budke. Late in his junior season, Budke suffered a serious high ankle sprain. Budke, the No. 2 seed at 160 in the Cook Inlet Conference Championships last year, wrestled one match at regions, pinning Dimond’s Jin Yoon in the quarterfinals. That was enough to guarentee him sixth place in his bracket, and a berth to the state tournament. The following week, Budke put in the work for the state tournament, and won three consecutive matches to earn a spot in the state final. In the state semifinals last season, Budke edged Bartlett’s Jordan Pace 6-5.

And then came in the injury in the finals.

“It was heartbreaking,” Budke said.

The diagnosis was a torn meniscus, and surgery followed. Budke said he was bed-ridden for two weeks, and wasn’t able to do much the first month after surgery.

The rehab followed.

“In the offseason, it was tons of working out, tons of going to (physical therapy),” Budke said.

Budke said he couldn’t call himself healthy until after the beginning of his senior year of high school. He competed in a national wrestling tournament in late July, but was hesitant at best.

“I didn’t feel comfortable. I was very skeptical of it,” Budke said.

Budke said he wanted to at least try to get back on the mat.

“I wanted to get back into it. I had the desire, but it wasn’t happening,” Budke said. “I did wrestle, but not very well.”

Budke said he decided to withdraw during the final day of the tournament.

During preseason practices, Budke said he focused on making sure he was comfortable with his knee. The injury, he said, has forced him to really think about staying healthy.

“It has helped me to really focus on stretching, keep the body as healthy as I can,” Budke said.

All of the work has helped Budke become one of the top wrestlers in the state at any weight class.

Two weeks ago, Budke powered his way to the 170-pound title during the CIC Championships. Budke beat Service’s Tyler Farless 7-1 in the finals. Earlier in the tournament, Budke pinned his first opponent in just 50 seconds. He followed with consecutive major decisions.

Of Budke’s 39 wins, 23 have come by pin. Budke has pinned 16 opponents during the first round, and eight during the first minute of a match. He also has three major decisions and a pair of technical falls.

Prior to the CIC tournament, Budke said he was feeling good about his potential to do well in regions and state.

“There’s definitely some good kids, but I’m feeling confident. I’m feeling I’m the guy to beat right now,” Budke said. “I’m trying to push myself as far as I can go.”

Budke first hit the mats when he was about 6 years old, and has been wrestling ever since. As much as he’s grown to love the sport, Budke said the state tournament may mark the final weekend of his career. Budke has thought about wrestling in college, but said he’s concerned about the added wear on his body.

“I don’t want to be banged up the rest of my life,” Budke said. “Definitely next year, I’m not wrestling. But I’m not closing off the opportunity. If I realize I miss it, I might want to walk on somewhere.”

Budke plans on attending the University of Montana. He wants to study biology and pursue a career in physical therapy.

Regardless of whether this is the last weekend for Budke on the mat, his goal is the same.

“I’ve really wanted to achieve this since freshman year,” Budke said. “A state championship.”