The way Marquin Hill dreamed of ending his Washington wrestling career became reality a on Saturday as the Pam Pack heavyweight beat D.H. Conley’s Nathaniel Stevenson to earn his second straight NCHSAA 3-A state championship.

The road to the repeat was not easy for Hill, even though he made it look like it was. Hill began his trek towards glory on Friday by pining his first two opponents to make it to the semifinals Saturday at the Greensboro Coliseum.

Hill started off semis the same way he left off on Friday by pinning Jordan Ownedy at the 2:40 mark in the second period in an early morning match to advance to the championship round which was held later that night.

It was during the lengthy period between bouts that Hill learned he would face D.H. Conley’s Stevenson, the No. 2 wrestler in the state, whom Hill had already faced three times this season.

“I was thinking I didn’t want to wrestle him even though I have beaten him three times,” Hill said. “It only takes one mistake to lose and I didn’t want to make that mistake … It’s harder because we know what each other is going to do so you have to try and change it up a little bit.”

Washington wrestling coach Daniel Riggs shared Hill’s concern.

“I was a little  nervous at first because it’s really hard to beat a guy four times all in one season,” Riggs said. “But I think I was more nervous because it was going to be the last time I was coaching him … I just talked to him before the match and told him to go out with a bang because it’s your last match in a Pam Pack singlet.”

The two made their finale together a successful one as they decided to use Hill’s athleticism to his advantage.

“I wanted to move a little more,” Hill said. “I wanted to move a little more and get him tired.”

Riggs said Hill’s athleticism, along with his ability to think ahead of his opponent, makes him so special.

“He’s very smart on the mat, he always knows where he is at and can put things together,” Riggs said. “He’s very strong and his attitude is great. This could not have happen to a better kid.”

Riggs said the key to Hill’s success was his ability to get points from the top position all weekend.

“The main thing was that he wrestled very well from the top position,” Riggs said. “Every match this weekend he broke them down and turned them on their back and made them work.”

With the win, Hill ended his senior season with a 49-0 record and an 83-match winning streak that dates back the beginning of last year’s wrestling season. Hill wrapped up his storied Pam Pack career No. 2 on the school’s all-time wins list.

Hill said of his two title runs, this year’s held more significance.

“This year it’s a whole lot more special because it’s my senior year, I went out with a bang,” Hill said. “It would be hard to win your junior year and not your senior year … I definitely felt more pressure this year, I just didn’t want to let my coaches down or my team down.”

After Hill’s win Riggs was overjoyed.

“I’m speechless. It’s a big thing to be a two-time state champion,” Riggs said. “He deserves it. He’s worked hard everyday and it paid off. He’s just such a great leader.”

Washington seniors Matt Williamitus and Jason Gardner also competed in the state meet but could not get past the first day. Wrestling in the 140-pound division, Williamitus lost his first match of the meet then suffered another loss in a physically demanding second bout of the day in which he had to have his nose wrapped up to stop it from bleeding.

Gardner, who wrestled in the 135-pound division, also suffered two defeats on Friday. Both Williamitus and Gardner ended their stellar seasons placing in the top 16 in the state.

“Both of them really stepped it up,” Riggs said. “I told them at the end of last year that if they really wanted to do something they need to come in the following year and just work hard and they did. I’m glad they made it (to the state meet) their senior year.”