Katy’s Trotter aims for repeat title
The 285-pound weight class typically has the spotlight to itself at wrestling tournaments, closing the final day of competition.
Fans at the Berry Center on Saturday might get to see a local standout grapple for his second University Interscholastic League state championship as a grand finale.
Katy senior Rodney Trotter heads to his second UIL state tournament with a 54-2 record, including the District 9-6A and Region III-6A championships. He looks to finish a stellar career at the top of the awards podium, the same place his junior season ended.
“It’s time like this you really put it into perspective,” Trotter said. “It seems like yesterday I was a freshman. This is my last state meet. I got a red target on my back, so I just have to go into it being confident.”
Trotter was celebrated for his character as much as his achievement following the 2022 state tournament. South Grand Prairie senior Caleb Jinks was forced to withdraw from the state final due to an injury. Having just won, Trotter opted to stay on the mat out of concern for
Jinks before celebrating.
His considerable wrestling skills earn attention as well, and he has expanded his repertoire in his final high school season.
“He’s improved a lot,” Katy coach Vinnie Lowe said. “His athletic ability is pretty amazing for a heavyweight. He’s starting to add more lighter weight wrestling moves to it. It’s been interesting to see the ebb and flow of that, where sometimes it works for you, sometimes you have to be reminded you’re a heavyweight and some of the lighter weight things don’t work as well.”
Lowe said Trotter’s two losses can be attributed to developing those new skills, with another talented wrestler taking advantage of a mistake.
He has finished on top in most matches during a typically packed Tigers schedule. Tournament championships this season include the Cavalier Clash, Maverick Stampede, Eli Beaty Falcon Invite, CyFair ISD Invitational and District 9-6A Tournament.
Trotter was also undefeated at the Katy ISD district duals, helping Katy win the tournament, and earned first-team honors at state duals.
The Tigers won both the boys and girls district titles, then continued a regional dynasty with their eighth consecutive boys team crown.
“I’m so proud of the team,” Trotter said. “They’re my brothers. I cry with them, I get mad with them. We grind together. To come together and put together eight-time regional champions, I couldn’t be any happier.”
Trotter contributed nearly every team point he could, pinning three of four opponents Friday and Saturday at the Merrell Center. The first two matches did not make it to the second period. Cypress Woods senior Aidan Shumate provided a semifinal challenge, with Trotter advancing on a 3-0 decision.
The final brought a familiar opponent, as Paetow senior Jarra Anderson (39-3) was the district finalist as well. After a scoreless first period, Trotter pulled ahead 3-0 and made his move, getting the pin at 3:17.
“I hit a double leg at first, switched it off to a single, pulled the head down, right over the head to a cow catcher, got the job done,” Trotter said. “I feel like, personally, I wrestled amazing. I’m moving my feet a lot more, taking a lot more shots, being more confident. I could obviously be better, but this regional tournament I think I wrestled pretty good.”
Trotter could have an opportunity to wrestle in college, with the University of Pennsylvania and Sam Houston State University among his schools of interest. He plans on making college visits in March.
This week he is one of a select few Houston-area wrestlers battling for a second UIL gold medal. Jordan’s Garrett McChesney, Foster’s Madison Canales and Friendswood’s Avery Beckman all enter state as previous champions.
Trotter seeks a triumphant culmination of his high school career, including a senior year of notable development.
“I’ve improved tremendously,” Trotter said. “I think the sky is the limit with me. If I just keep working hard, I feel like nobody can stop me.”