Intensity fuels Malychewski brothers on wrestling mat

Camas siblings bring out the best in each other in order to help Papermakers to new heights

CAMAS — Their exchanges in the wrestling room can get a little over the top.

They seem to push the boundaries.

At times, it can get heated.

But only because of a mutual respect between brothers.

“We grew up with each other, and we had older brothers,” Samuel Malychewski said. “We developed that competitive attitude. I’m not holding back anything, nor is he holding back against me. Instincts take over. There are times he does something to agitate me and I’ll react. Then I do things to him and he’ll react. That’s just part of life.”

Life on the wrestling mat at least.

“Off the mat, we’re pretty cool,” Samuel said. “We don’t take anything personally.”

Samuel Malychewski is a senior for the Camas Papermakers, with the goal of winning a state championship in his final year of high school competition. He is ranked second among Class 4A wrestlers at 195 pounds by the Washington Wrestling Report.

Gideon Malychewski is a sophomore, ranked eighth at 160 pounds. They, along with the rest of the Papermakers, are listed fifth among Class 4A teams.

Camas and seven other schools from Clark County, will be competing at the Pacific Coast Wrestling Championships at Mountain View High School this week. The first day of competition, which is hosted by Evergreen’s wrestling program, is Friday with finals on Saturday.

The Malychewski brothers are expected to compete as well, now that they have survived their battles at practice.

“We do it because we love each other,” Gideon said. “We work each other to the best we can. Even though we push each other around, it’s to make each other better.”

Camas coach Cory Vom Baur said the brothers also push their teammates.

“Intensity. They bring it every day,” Vom Baur said.

“It’s like they hate each other in here, but they love each other. It’s fun to watch.”

Both battling illness, the Malychewski brothers missed a practice recently. It was a noticeable absence.

“When they’re not in the room, the intensity of the room drops,” Vom Baur said. “They set the tone.”

 

 

An older brother, Caleb, has been in town over the holiday break, helping out with the Papermakers. It just brings even more family memories alive.

They used to play soccer in the house, before Samuel broke a finger. All four brothers, including Josiah, play or played baseball, too.

“Everything’s competitive, even eating,” Samuel said. “First-come, first-served.”

Of course, that upbringing has led them to where they are today.

“It developed a competitive edge. You always had to compete at home,” Samuel said. “And the companionship, too. Being around dudes all the time, building up relationships with your brothers. That carries over into building relationships with my teammates.”

This is the last wrestling season the Malychewski brothers will be teammates in high school.

Samuel wants to go out on top, a state title. He placed fourth last season as a junior.

“Senior year. I just gotta leave it all out there,” Samuel said.

Gideon said he wants to place at state.

“My goal is to dominate every opponent I face,” he said. “Just get better in the wrestling room and take knowledge from the coaches.”

No matter what happens come February at state, the Malychewski brothers will know they gave it their all. Against each other in practice. Against others in competition.

“This sport is hard, really hard,” Gideon said. “But you love winning. It really pushes you to your limit and shows how far you can go. If you lose, no one to blame but you. It’s a character-builder.”

“The mentality of a wrestler is knowing you’re going to go into a battle … and giving 150, 110 100 percent, whatever it is, to come out on top,” Samuel said. “And knowing, win or lose, it’s all up to you. Conditioning is important. If you’re not in shape, everybody out there is going to know you’re not in shape.”

That is not an option for the Malychewski brothers.

They will push each other to the maximum, try to crush each other in practice.

All for the love of their sport, and the love for each other.

Note: While the Pacific Coast Wrestling Tournament is Friday and Saturday at Mountain View High School, another tournament will be held in Washougal. A number of local programs are scheduled to compete Saturday at the Washougal River Rumble.