Not many wrestling programs have a 6-foot-7 defending conference champion anchoring the back end of their lineup like heavyweight Trevor Tinker. For most of the season, it seemed like Cal Poly was going to be without him in this year’s Pac-12 Championship.
Less than three months after tearing his labrum during the Ken Kraft Midlands Championships, Tinker was doing the impossible: wrestling after waiting less than half the time typically recommended after sustaining such an injury. The graduate student was still ranked No. 22 in the heavyweight division, and slotted as the No. 2 seed in Friday’s tournament.
Tinker’s intimidation factor was in full effect on Friday, as the heavyweight was sporting a new buzzed haircut as he paced up and down Cal Poly’s bench leading up to his preliminary match.
This tournament specifically had some extra significance for Tinker. As a graduate student, these matches will be his last chance to wrestle at Cal Poly.
The match was in his grasp from the start. Tinker dominated control, slamming his opponent, No. 3 seed Khale McDonnell, down to the mat multiple times. His shoulder, wrapped in a tight black compression sleeve, seemed to be moving as normal.
Earlier that day during an interview on Mustang Gameday, Head Coach Jon Sioredas said Tinker had been back to wrestling for multiple weeks, and even considered competing in the California Last Chance Open on Feb. 22. They opted to give him the extra time off to prepare, and it paid off in round one of the tournament.
Midway through the third period the defending champ took down McDonnell for a fifth time to widen his lead to 17-2, clinching the technical fall victory and ensuring his shot at back-to-back Pac-12 heavyweight titles.
Tinker pointed to the floor as he circled the ring in celebration, saying “This is my house.” He’ll need to defend it one last time later tonight.