SALEM, Ore. - Next week, Sprague High school's R.J. Pena will look to do something very few high school wrestlers have ever done: he's gunning for his 3rd straight state title.

But even if he accomplishes that impressive feat, the Junior wrestler will probably walk off the mat wondering what else he can do to get even better.

It's easy for teammates to describe Sprague's Pena on the mat. They usually use one word: dominant.

And so far Pena has been just that. He won the 112-pound state crown as a freshmen, the 125-pound title last year and so far this year in the 140-pound division, he's undefeated.

"Ever since I was little I wanted to be a four-time state champion," Pena said. "That has been my goal, my dream and of course if I win this year I'll have one more year and I'll have my goal."

Coach Kary Hadden has confidence he can do it. "He's what we call an 'old school wrestler.' He's one of these guys, he's not real flashy, he wants to go out there and take a guy down and pin him right away."

So far in his entire high school career, Pena has lost just one match to an Oregon wrestler. His individual feats are incredible but he's anything but a selfish wrestler.

"He's a great teammate, he's always encouraging the younger wrestler's like the freshmen and stuff," said fellow grappler Bryce Whitehead. "Like, if I'm getting sloppy with my moves or not doing a pushup right he's always there to correct me."

Pena is just a Junior so he still has a ways to go to reach his goal of being a four-time state champion, but he already has post-graduation plans.

Pena wants to be a national champion and to do that he won't even have to change his team colors. He's planning on going Oregon State University, which is located close to Salem.

"I know there I can become an NCAA champion and plus I'm close to my family," Pena said.
   
When it comes to his opponents, he's a little less hospitable. "I want to make everyone I wrestle never want to wrestle me again," Pena said.

Pena won his district match Sunday with 3 straight pins. He will look to capture his third state title next weekend at the Memorial Coliseum.

Not only did he win his district, but he pinned all three of his opponents in less then 30 seconds.