Chesterton senior Lucas Johnson steals the spotlight and defeats ‘best friend’ Ayden Campbell at 138 pounds, the highlight for Chesterton in a 44-29 loss at Portage

Tom Keegan
Onwardtrojans.com

The random drawing that determines which weight class goes first at wrestling meets worked out to the advantage of the spectators Wednesday night at Portage with Chesterton in town for a DAC dual.
The 144-pound match led off, which meant the most eagerly awaited showdown at 138 pounds would be last, time for the anticipation to build while the other 13 weight classes played out.
Ayden Campbell spent his first two years of high school at Chesterton, where he was Lucas Johnson’s wrestling partner in practice. Campbell was a sectional champion as a sophomore and on his last day in Chesterton wrestling gear he failed to make weight and had to forfeit. Before his junior year, Campbell transferred to Portage.
“Best friends,” Johnson said “Best friends since freshman year.”
Other than in practice and one wrestle-off won by Campbell freshman year, the friends never had faced each other.
Based on their histories, Campbell was considered the favorite, Johnson the underdog.
Then the match started and nothing about the way Johnson took control painted him as the underdog. He took a big lead, then the strong, quick, energetic Campbell seized the lead briefly during the third period. What happened? Did Johnson just not believe he was as good as his friend? Whatever the cause, it didn’t last long. Johnson’s first deficit seemed to startle him into action and he dominated the rest of the way, prevailing 15-7, a major decision worth four points.
“Huge for Lukey’s confidence. They’ve been good buddies and Ayden maybe has a little more pedigree,” Chesterton head wrestling coach Andy Trevino said.
In addition to defeating Campbell, the hope is Johnson also turned himself into a Johnson believer.
“At least sometimes, Lukey doubts himself, but I think he’s starting to realize he’s not bad,” Trevino said. “And I always tell him he’s better than what he lets himself believe. And if he starts believing it, nobody’s going to stop him. Getting that first takedown was the key because once we got in his head a little bit, then we put him on defense and we were in the driver’s seat.”
Johnson led 6-0, then a Campbell escape made it 6-1, then 6-4 after a takedown. Then Campbell took a 7-6 lead before Johnson quickly regained the lead in the final period and showed he had more left in his tank.
At one point, Campbell ran into the hall, perhaps in need of a garbage can in the event to catch his stomach, to take a long injury delay.
“I think we were both tired. I don’t blame him. I’m dying right now,” said Johnson who moved closer to a garbage can during the interview, just in case.
When the match ended, Campbell’s emotions got the best of him and he tried to walk off the mat without the traditional handshake. The ref pulled him back, but Johnson didn’t settle for a handshake. Instead, he threw a hug on his opponent.
“Of course,” Johnson said. “We’ll always be best friends. I love Ayden. Even though he’s at a different school, he’s still one of my closest friends. I still reach out to him and send him music just to see how he’s doing. I don’t do it as much, and I regret that.”
Johnson paused for an instant to rein in his emotions.
“ I’m choking up a little because I miss him,” he said. “It was a great match. I love him. … Ayden’s an amazing wrestler.”
The crowd reaction indicated this might have been the biggest win of Johnson’s career. Seemingly out of respect for his opponent, Johnson downplayed that angle.
“Every win is gratifying when you’re under the spotlight like that and win,” Johnson said. “It’s the best feeling. There is no bigger or smaller win. Everything’s a win. If you win state, that’s a bigger win.”
For much of his career, Johnson, the fourth brother in his family to wrestle for Chesterton, seemed to be on the verge of a breakthrough, only to never quite wrestle at the level he did Wednesday night. His junior season ended prematurely when he finished fifth at the LaPorte sectional.
“It’s starting to click for me this year,” Johnson said. “I try not to go out there with fear anymore, just with gratitude for getting to do it.”
Having his brother Cade on the coaching staff for the first time has been a big factor, he said.
I’ve been wrestling with him every day and he’s been pushing me to be the best I can,” Johnson said. “Having blood on the team who’s able to push you every day and having the same wrestling style as you is better than anything,” Luke said. “Coach Trevino has helped me with the mindset, telling me I could be better. He’s pushing me to do the most in practice every day.”
Other winners for Chesterton: Lucas Anderson (175), Connor Olson (heavyweight) and Max Quiroz (132) by pin, Keegan Gibbons (215) by major decision and Greyson Strickland (165) by decision.