DES MOINES, Iowa — Over the weekend, one wrestler joined an elite group, one that less than 30 members belong to. And it's certainly one that carries a lot of pride with it.
Earlier this year, Local 5 introduced you to Centerville’s Matthew Lewis. He came in as a 145-pounder to beat in Class 2A. It took a battle for him in the semifinals to get through to the championship match.
There, he would go down early, but again battled back with a takedown in the second period, and then held on to win in the third. Lewis claimed his fourth state title, making him the 29th wrestler to do so. In turn, it all hit him as the fans rose to their feet..
"It already hit me. As that last second went on the clock and I heard that whistle it was, 'Oh man, my world just lit up. I was so happy.'"
It was a lifelong dream made reality.
“Its like my biggest dream just my goal since being a little kid and I've been training for it for years now and I mean, finally came true is just like a huge weight off my shoulders,” Lewis said.
While he may have lacked a ton of flair on his way to the fourth, a win is a win, and joining the four-time champions club makes him shine a little brighter than the rest.
“It's awesome. I mean, there's so many people that would love to be in my shoes right now and I mean, it's just it's awesome," Lewis added.
"Hard work pays off."
Lewis joins T.J. Siebel as Centerville's only four-time state wrestling champions, but it's not fair to compare the two. Lewis did it his way, and he has four gold medals to show for it.