Mark Marum, 9, of Snoqualmie is a national champion wrestler.

Marum, competing at 50 pounds, dominated his class in the Intermediate Division at the 2012 Asics/USAW Kids Freestyle Nationals, June 26 to 28 in Orem, Utah.

A member of the Snoqualmie Valley Wrestling Club, Marum beat Lyle Anderson of Nevada by technical fall, 6-0 and 9-0, then bested Daniel Sheen of Illinois, 0-6,6-0, 7-5. He followed with a 5-4, 6-5 decision over Sage Mortimer of Utah. Marum won the title by pin over Tristan Smith of Utah in 1:40.

Marum also placed seventh place in Greco-Roman. His finish earns him All-American status.

At the Western Regionals, June 17 to 23 in Pocatello, Idaho, Marum placed first in freestyle, third in folkstyle and fourth in Greco-Roman, competing with wrestlers from Washington, Alaska, Hawaii, Oregon, Idaho, utah, Montana, Wyoming, California and Nevada.

Marum is a “triple-crown” state champion in three different styles: Folkstyle, freestyle and Greco-Roman.

He was a folkstyle champion in Spokane last January, and on April 28, he was a Greco-Roman state champion. He won a championship in freestyle wrestling in May at Pasco.

His family believes he may be the first Snoqualmie Valley wrestler to accomplish that kind of record.

Marum has thanks for his teammates and training partners, saying his success would not have been possible without them. He also thanks the coaches who pushed him forward and believed in him, including Joe Marenco, Smokey McClure, Chuck Harrison, Nels Melgaard, Tony Schlotfeldt and his father, Thomas Marum.

Thomas has a love of the sport, starting his wrestling career in the Valley four decades ago.

He’s seen the handful of “tough kid” wrestlers locally grow into a big crop of Valley talent over the years. Today, he says,many youth wrestlers train eight to 10 months a year, making a huge difference in their success.

Marum’s family tells the Record that he worked very hard to accomplish his wins.

He is a proud member of the Snoqualmie Valley Wrestling Club.

The club was founded about four years ago, and has grown to include more than 70 youths and produce seven individual state champions, including Dawson Schneider and Benton Grisso in the Pee Wee division folkstyle category; Kyan Zimmerman in Bantam division folkstyle, Tryon Kass in Intermediate Greco-Roman, and now Marum. The club has also had numerous top-eight placers at state competitions.

• Learn more about Snoqualmie Valley Wrestling programs at http://snovalleywrestling.weebly.com/