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Smith closes season as 3rd best at State
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Scott Votino of Elk Grove was Ripon High wrestler Trevor Smiths only defeat at the state championship. - photo by Ike Dodson

BAKERSFIELD — There is absolutely nothing for Ripon standout Trevor Smith to hang his head about.

Yet, his one misfortune at an otherwise perfect 2013 CIF State Wrestling Championships surely has to sting a bit.

Smith stumbled in the tournament’s semifinal for the second straight season, upping his sixth place medal from a season ago with third place honors Saturday. Smith posted back-to-back wins after dropping his semifinal match 2-1 to Scott Votino of Elk Grove.

The loss eliminated Smith’s chance at another shot at eventual champion Jeramy Sweany of Vacaville.

Smith closed out arguably the most decorated wrestling career in Ripon school history, ending as only the second two-time medalist and highest ranking finisher of all Indian state qualifiers. Indian standout Ben Lee (heavyweight) placed at state in both 1992 and 1993.

“I would say he is probably the best wrestler that Ripon has ever had,” Ripon head coach Glen White said. “He has placed higher than anybody else has done and I think that kind of separates him from the rest.”

Smith won 42 matches on the season while dropping four, embracing the mark on his back throughout the season-long dominance and likely setting himself up for a lengthy wrestling career.

“He definitely wants to wrestle in college,” White said. “I know that he has one in particular that he is looking at and he is planning to wrestle in college.

“I think that he will continue to do really well.”