Wheatmore junior Dominic Hittepole became a state champion last month after coming one victory short of that goal a year earlier. (P.J. Ward-Brown / Randolph Record)
TRINITY — Wheatmore wrestler Dominic Hittepole won matches on a regular basis for several months.
Yet it seemed like a long climb, waiting for the moments that would define his season.
“I’m ready for February,” he said in late January. “I’m really excited where I’m at. It matters a lot. There are a lot of people doubting me. I can’t end up in that runner-up position I was in last year.”
So he took that next step, winning the state championship in the 175-pound division in Class 2A.
That second-place finish in 2024 fueled the junior standout’s quest.
After defeating Mt. Pleasant’s Jacob Reigel 7-0 in the title bout, there was as much relief as excitement.
“It’s like the weight is just lifted off my shoulders. I got it done,” Hittepole said. “I never doubted myself. I didn’t doubt myself last year, just a few bumps along the way. This year, everything went as planned. Weight, everything. All the way down to the state tournament. Everything went good, as expected.”
While the feat was officially accomplished in February, Hittepole said the process mattered even as his patience was tested as he waited for another postseason to arrive.
“The practices, those are the worst parts,” he said. “Those are the building blocks you have to get up to get to this level. I knew I had to work hard every single day in practice. It wasn’t just a one-time thing, where one week you go hard. You have to go hard the entire season.”
Wheatmore coach Kyle Spencer said it was clear there was a path for Hittepole to become a state champion. He said he appreciated how the wrestler handled the build-up during the season.
“I didn’t see him not being capable of winning the state championship this year, but crazier things have happened,” Spencer said. “At times, I feel like he has gotten a little more active on his feet. He has done a little better job of setting things up, picking up his motion.”
Hittepole, who posted a 47-5 record for the season, projects an even-keeled demeanor on and off the mat, before and after matches. The internal pressure, though, was percolating.
“I’ve got to pull through this year, getting to show what I’m made of,” he said late in the regular season. “I think my mindset is better. I cut weight going down to (175). I feel like I’m eating pretty good. I’m trying to make sure everything is right.”
Hittepole competed in the 190-pound class early in the season, but those were tune-ups. He said he felt chunky at that weight, while that spot in Wheatmore’s lineup was better suited for senior Noah Browning.
Hittepole had defeated Reigel multiple times, including in the Midwest Regional final. He said he knew his focus couldn’t change in the last bout of the season.
“Make sure everything was nice and tight, no sloppiness,” he said.
In four bouts in the state tournament, Hittepole outscored opponents by 50-15.
His motivation to improve hasn’t ceased. Perhaps it’s increasing after a matter-of-fact reaction to the state championship.
“I’m not as thrilled as I should be,” Hittepole said. “I guess that’s such a ‘me’ thing. I know I should have done a little bit better, but I got my hand raised.”
