The CIF state wrestling championships are high pressure.
But for Oak Ridge High School senior Vince Waldhauser (No.6 @ 160) today and Saturday at Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield will be the toughest test of his mental tenacity as a marked man in the 160-pound class.
With a 48-1 record, Waldhauser is ranked No. 2 in the state and a returning finalist.
But there are reasons he’s an even bigger target.
At meets, you can’t miss him.
Following Oak Ridge wrestling tradition, Waldhauser has dyed bleach-blond hair. He wears lucky bright-yellow shorts that he readily admits are a little snug.
“I know there’s supposed to be a ton of pressure on me,” Waldhauser said. “But when I wrestle as if I don’t care whether I win or lose, I wrestle a lot better. Mentally, I trick myself.”
