rhs10ws-009_2010_samuel_mecham2.jpgOne state championship and four district titles are among the many accomplishments for this talented high school wrestler. Douglas County Sports Online is honored to shine the Athlete Spotlight on Roseburg senior Sam Mecham.

Sam was born and raised in Roseburg attending Fullerton IV Elementary and Freemont Middle School before arriving on the campus of Roseburg High in the fall of 2006. He loved athletics and competed in soccer, basketball and baseball until the seventh grade, but it was the sport of wrestling where Mecham would eventually excel.

"I was pretty awful when I started wrestling, but I still liked it" Sam said. "Most of my uncles and cousins wrestled, so I think it was in my blood."

During his four-year prep career, Sam won a 135lb state championship as a junior, including an unprecedented four Southwest Conference district titles. The current SWC was formed in 2005 and beginning next season, it will once again have a whole new look. That means Mecham will be the first and only wrestler in history to accomplish that feat. 

In February of this year, Sam went after his second straight state title, but was beaten in the finals by West Salem's Blake Borsberry 4-3, the same wrestler Mecham competed against in 2009.avista_utilities.jpg

"He studied me a lot and it seemed that he knew what I was going to do," Sam said. "I didn't wrestle my best, but overall, I did pretty good."

Mecham's career at Roseburg High School has ended, but his wrestling days will continue next season at 'Division I' Utah Valley University in Orem. Sam's major is undecided, but he plans to get his degree in a computer-related field.