Most great athletes share one thing in common: they hate to lose. And when it comes by a razor-thin margin, it sticks with them until they get a chance to rectify it.

ADM junior wrestler Hunter Gibson suffered that narrow loss as a sophomore, and it ended his season. He fell in the final round of the 2014 districts, and it’s something he consistently replayed in his mind until this season rolled around.

“It was kind of upsetting last year. I had the match all tied up late going into the third, took a shot, just got stuffed, senior beat me,” Gibson said. “He left it out on the mat and I didn’t, and that’s just how it ended.”

But it also helped fuel a burning desire to improve and take the next step, which is making it to the state tournament. He’s wrestling his best at the right time, and the 195-pounder is fresh off a sectional championship in Saydel this past Saturday, his fourth tournament title of the new year.

This Saturday at district competition in Ballard, he’ll have his chance create a new memory he’ll actually enjoy replaying in his mind. Gibson will try for a state tournament berth along with six other Tigers.