Thurston for the win!
Boys 6A and 5A District tournaments – 11 in all – plus three 4A/3A/2A/1A girls Special District Tournaments were the focus of the last week in Oregon wrestling. High finishers qualify for the State Tournament, which begins one week from Thursday in Portland. Those falling short get to think about next year or, if they are seniors, reflect on their career in the sport.
6A/5A girls and 4A, 3A and 2A/1A boys hold their district tournaments this weekend.
Of all the tournaments held last week, BY FAR the closest was in the 5A Midwestern League, where Thurston edged Crater, 484-480, for the title.
“As close of team race as I have been involved with in the MWL Conference in my 22 years at Thurston,” said coach Mike Simons. “We knew it would be a full team effort to beat Crater! They are a very good team with many of the best individual wrestlers in the state!”
Crater came into the event ranked No. 1 in the 5A mid-season Coaches Poll on the strength of a dual meet win over Thurston for the title in the 5A Oregon Classic and the team title at the Reser’s Tournament of Champions. Thurston, No. 2 in the Coaches Poll, was the better team on this day. Both teams entered the maximum 28 wrestlers.
Thurston qualified 22 for the state tournament to 17 for Crater.
Crater finished with more individual champions – Jeremiah Oliva (120), Joey Hutchins (132), Jaret Hickey (138), Aidan Godley (144), Jaxon Godley (150), Kutter Christensen (157), Ryland Walters (165), Daemian Deen (175) and Travis Ege (215) gave the Comets a whopping nine – to three for Thurston -- Lukas Salas Sanchez (106), Michael Salas Sanchez (113) and Sawyer Greenstreet (126).
Christensen's win came over defending state champion, Colton Annis of Thurston, by decision, 8-3.
But Thurston had nine wrestlers finish second to three for Crater. Combined with Thurston’s quality depth, that was enough – barely – to put Thurston over the top.
What does this all mean for the state tournament? It’s anyone’s guess. Crater will have more wrestlers favored to win State. Thurston will have more wrestlers present and capable of piling up points. If Thurston can reverse a couple of outcomes, it might provide the margin needed to hoist that blue trophy.
“It will take even a better effort to beat them at state!” Simons admitted. “We have 2 weeks to get better!”
Weather or not
The 5A Mid-Willamette Conference will finish up today after being hindered by poor weather conditions the past several days.
Of note: Crescent Valley freshman Jack Mulvahill remains undefeated on the year at 106 pounds heading into the semifinals. Returning state champions Joseph Johnson of Dallas (wrestling at 126 pounds) and Brash Henderson of Silverton are still in contention, as is 2024 5A heavyweight runner up Isaiah Jordan of Lebanon.
Wednesday morning update: Reigning 5A champion Dallas distanced itself from the field on Tuesday in taking the weather-delayed Mid-Willamette Conference title. The Dragons outpointed West Albany by well over 100 and had six champions: Nathan Ramirez (113 pounds), Sully Hill (132), Lorenzo Romero-Hill (138), Tyler Basey (144), Nathaniel Hughes (150) and Carson Langford (190).
West Albany, Silverton, Lebanon and Crescent Valley each finished with two champions. West Albany won the 120-pound bracket behind Owen Hoyt and took 175 thanks to Justice Edmiston.
State favorite Bo Zurcher (165) and Brash Henderson (215), last year's heavyweight state champion; won for Silverton. Lebanon's champions were Seth Wynn at 157 and Isaac Jordan at 285. Both will be favored to win State. Finally, CV saw freshman Jack Mulvahill improve to 30-0 while taking the 106-pound bracket. The Raiders also got a title from sophomore Colton Hankey at 126 pounds.
Double stuff for Redmond
Redmond outdistanced Bend, Mountain View and Ridgeview for the 5A Intermountain Conference title. The win was the second straight for the Panthers, who totaled 140 points more than their nearest competitor.
Seventeen (17) Redmond wrestlers qualifier for State, including five champions: Ryder Lee (126), Billy Jackson (132), Mason Thynes (138), Gannon McNulty (157) and Orinn Hubbard (190).
Thynes was named Outstanding Wrestler for the lower weights.
Bend had four champions: Eric Larwin at 150, Leif Larwin at 175, Logan Hartman at 215 and Lukas Quade at 285. Eric Larwin remains undefeated on the year. Leif Larwin is a defending state champion.
Aiden Nelmes, a reigning state champion at 106 pounds for Mountain View, won his 120-pound bracket.
Canby NWOCs off another title
Canby won the Northwest Oregon Conference title for the fourth straight year. The Cougars defeated second-place Hillsboro by 148 points on the strength of 11 finalists, seven champions and 20 state qualifiers.
Matthew Young, wrestling at 144 pounds, won his third title by major decision over a returning state placers. Two-time champions for Canby included Dean Williams (126), Nico Yazzolino (138), James Keinonen (165) and undefeated defending state champion Jackson Doman (215). Isaiah Parsons (175) and Alex Maurer (285) became first-time champions with first-period falls.
Centennial had two champions at the lower weights, Joshua Khaul (106) and Aiden Welsick (113). Hillsboro also had two champions: sophomore Arturo Echevarria (157) and junior Dylan Pascua (190). Hood River Valley, Parkrose and Putnam crowned one champion apiece.
Monday finish for Newberg
Defending 6A state champion Newberg polished off another conference title, winning the weather-delayed Pacific Conference by almost 60 points. Sherwood, McMinnville, Forest Grove and Glencoe all compiled more than 200 points in competitive efforts to finish second through fifth, respectively.
Highlights of the tournament included four champions for Newberg: Kiah Worthington (106), Sawyer Keinonen (126), Austin Wilhelm (132) and returning state champion Gus Amerson (157).
Sherwood matched Newberg with four champions: freshman Griffin Thomas at 113, sophomore Grayson Fabrycki at 150, senior Hudson Voss at 165 and junior Walter Dahme at 215.
Glencoe had three champions, all in the upper weights: Isaac Reynoso at 175, James Rolla Camden Roofener at 190 and Brody Sahlfeld at 285.
Forest Grove’s two champions were sophomore sensation Archie De La Rosa at 120 and junior Warren Cook at 138.
Sophomore Jorge Rodriguez of Century improved to 42-6 on the year with a win at 144.
Rosy Roseburg rules Southwest
Roseburg bested Grants Pass by a healthy margin to win the Southwest Conference crown. Roseburg had four champions, all in the lower weights, to win the title for the 18th time in 19 seasons. Returning state champion Drew Dawson led the way with a title at 113 pounds. Brother Carter Dawson prevailed at 120.
South Medford had five champions, including defending state champion Bridger Foss. The Panthers won the lightest classification when Vaughn Graf took 106 and the four heaviest weight classes.
Grants Pass’ three champions included freshman Zane Hill at 126 pounds, junior Michael Martin at 138 pounds and senior Owen Hull at 165. Hull, who is 35-1 on the year, won a state title as a sophomore but was injured last year. Hull has 136 career wins.
Eight is more than enough for West Linn
West Linn dominated the Three Rivers League for the third straight year behind eight individual champions: Max Bell (106), Darion Johnson (113), David Wheeler (120), Ryder Sprague (132), two-time defending state champion Oscar Doces (144), Maclain Culp (157), Michael Smith (165) and Lucas Gray (175).
Two other returning state champs, Logan Sunnell of Tualatin and Lusiano Lopez of Lake Oswego, captured titles at 190 and 215, respectively.
Top of the mountain for the Mountain Lions
McDaniel won the PIL title for the second straight year, behind four champions: Ahmeil Keys (138), Mohamed Fofanah (144), Ethan Holstein (150) and Lucas McCall-Petke (215).
Lincoln (13 wrestlers) and Jefferson (8) had seven fewer wrestlers combined than McDaniel’s 28, yet managed to team for three titles. Eli Borrayo (120) and Nico Farinola (126) won for the Cardinals while junior Titus Rodela took home the crown at 157 for the Demos.
Wildcats strike in Metro
Westview rode five individual champions to capture the Metro Conference title. Freshman Jason Blasingame won at 106 for the Wildcats with Miguel Elenes (120), Amir Khanjan (132). Giovanni Silva (150) and Mohamed Eisay (175) all following suit.
Mountainside had four champions: Brody Lybarger (126), freshman Isaac Conner (138), Ethan Stock (144) and Isiah Conner (165). Sunset had two, Brandon Kojiro (113) and Kinkaid McCoy (157). The other three schools, Beaverton, Southridge and Aloha, each had one.
Sandy shows grit in holding off Barlow for Mt. Hood crown
Sandy got wins from Nicholas Yarnell at 144 and Seth Hooley at 157 to hold off Barlow to win the MHC for the third straight year.
Other highlights included Clackamas sophomore Caleb Enochs improving to 41-1 in taking the title at 113, and defending state champion Dominic Macon extended his unbeaten streak for 64 with a win at 285 for Nelson.
Olympians take home the gold
Sprague dominated the Central Valley Conference tournament, crowning eight champions: Andres Mendoza (113), Kylan Baker (126), Jonas Camillo (132), freshman Judah Parr (138), Jaxon Camillo (157), Sullivan Puckett (165), Seamus Glade (175) and Kenya Johnson (190).
McNary had two lower weight champions in Luis Martinez Hernandez (106) and Derek Jones (120) and a heavyweight champion in Jesse Mendoza Falcon. No other school won more than one championship.
North Salem, which finished fourth overall, qualified eight for the state tournament. Sophomore Deacon Odom won his first conference title at 150 pounds to lead the Viking onslaught. His brother, Xander Odom, placed third in the same weight class. Robert Garibay III took second at 285. Maximus Rodriguez could not repeat his conference title of a year ago, losing to Puckett, now a three-time conference champion, in the final seconds at 165. Two freshmen, Yandel Basham (106) and Kyler Howry (113), also qualified.
St. Helens mounts rally to win SD1
St. Helens, with just one senior on the roster, won the girls Special District 1 title in 4A/3A/2A/1A. The Lions got another supreme performance from defending 170-pound state champion Jadyn Pense – she pinned all of her opponents and was named Upper Weight OW – and five other top-four performances in holding off Scappoose by 28.5 points.
St. Helens coach Scott Revis said that last Saturday’s performance gives his squad of six state qualifiers an outside chance to trophy next weekend.
“We are a year away from challenging La Grande for the title,” he added.
A total of 33 schools sent wrestlers to the District 1 championships. Only Willamina won more than one individual title. At 105 pounds, senior Zoe Brewer, a returning state champion, overcame a 7-0 deficit to Kiya Roe of Knappa to win by fall in 92 seconds. Willamina junior Paige Baker also won her bracket (190 pounds) by second-period fall.
Other notable champions included Kasey Neal of Rainier at 110 pounds, Kayla Borregard of Scio at 120 and Caidence Crawford of Knappa at 130. Crawford was one of only four Loggers to wrestle and the senior pinner her way through the whole tournament. The other Knappa wrestlers placed second, fifth and sixth, respectively, and finished eighth overall.
“The girls exceeded expectations with all the injuries and sickness,” said coach Kyle Anderegg. “I was sure we would be way out of the top 10. To place top 10 with 4 girls just shows how mighty and determined we are as a team even with low numbers.”
Newport finished in 11th place and will be sending two to State. Camille Keck is returning after she went 4-1 at 135 pounds to finish third. Mysti Ferguson, wrestling at 170 pounds, placed fourth and will be making her first trip to Memorial Coliseum. The Cubs also got a strong effort from first-year wrestler Jaidyn Nastiuk, who went 2-2 in a loaded 145-pound bracket.
Harrisburg goes where Eagles dare
Harrisburg edged Sweet Home, Sutherlin and Mazama to win Special District 2 for the first time. The Eagles had two individual champions in Eden Ridgley (100) and Gracie Williams (105) and three other state qualifiers.
Oakridge entered only five girls but had three champions, a runner up and third place finisher. Two-time state champion Vanessa Keller won an epic struggle at 110 pounds with returning state champion Paxton Steele of Harrisburg that went to three extra periods. Emmalee Brisette won by major decision at 115 pounds and Kali Williams pinned all her opponents at 130.
Freshman Victoria Keller was second to vaunted Macali Lade of Siuslaw at 120, while first-year wrestler Bri Jones, a sophomore, placed third at 170.,
Mazama placed fourth out of 38 teams and had a champion at 135 pounds in undefeated freshman Shyla Sells and two runners up in Mia Wonser (17) and Lizabeth Henderson (235). Henderson dropped a 4-3 decision to three-time state finalist Breanna Meek of North Valley, 4-3, in the last match of the night.
It was an historic day for the Lady Vikings, said coach Matt Penrod, whose team had a district champion for the first time and is sending five to state, which is five times more than it ever has.
“All the ladies wrestled great and contributed to a 4th-place team finish, also setting a new standard for the Lady Viking program,” Penrod added.
North Bend had two upper weight champions in Kayllianna Mazzucchi at 155 and Rowan Hampton at 170.
Two-time state champion Bailey Chaffin led Sweet Home’s effort with a title at 125 pounds. The senior did not wrestle more than 88 seconds in any of her four bouts.
A Grande display
Defending state champion La Grande won Special District 3 by 48 points over tough Crook County. The district title was the fourth straight for the Tigers, who qualified 11 for the state tournament, including defending state champion Lyndie Isaacson, who won at 120 pounds.
Paige Allen also won for the Tigers at 145 pounds, continuing her strong season; and sophomore Carleigh Radke had a memorable run, capped by a second-place finish at 110 pounds.
Coach Rusty Gulzow has asserted consistently that the team’s strength comes from the leadership of its five seniors.
“Every senior qualified,” he exhorted. “It wouldn't be the same without them.”
Heppner tied for ninth in an outstanding effort. The Mustangs brought their largest contingent to date – six girls – to the district tournament and sent two on to State, including their first-ever champion, Journey Cavan-Harris, who pinned her way through the 140-pound bracket to become the fist-ever girls district champion for the school.
Other notable SD3 champions included Crook County sophomore Taylor Echeverria (130 pounds), La Pine junior Jade Seymour (135), volleyball star Marli Lind of Baker / Powder Valley (155), Burns freshman Megan Weil (190) and three-time state champion Mallory Lusco of Grant Union (135).
Undefeateds
In this recurring category, we list wrestlers with 15 or more wins who are currently undefeated on the season.
44-0 -- Layla Morris, Sr., Mountainside (6A/5A), 125
42-0 -- Jackson Doman, Sr., Canby (5A), 215
42-0 – Michael Salas Sanchez, Soph., Thurston (5A), 113
38-0 – Joey Hutchins, Sr., Crater (5A), 132
32-0 --Zachary Brown, Sr., Heppner (2A/1A), 157
30-0 -- Jack Mulvahill, Fr. Crescent Valley (5A), 106
30-0 – Dominic Macon, Sr., Nelson (6A), 285
28-0 -- Eric Larwin, Sr., Bend (5A), 150
23-0 – Paisley Conway, Soph., Newberg (6A/5A), 110
23-0 – Lusiano Lopez, Sr., Lake Oswego, 215
21-0 -- Shyla Sells, Fr., Mazama (4A/3A/2A/1A), 135
Legends of the fall
In this section, we list wrestlers with 30 or more falls this season.
Paige Allen, Sr., La Grande (4A/3A/2A/1A), 145 – 36 wins by fall (45-4 overall)
Maddie Armstrong, Jr., La Grande (4A/3A/2A/1A), 190 – 33 wins by fall (41-7 overall)
Zoe Brewer, Sr., Willamina (4A/3A/2A/1A), 105 – 39 wins by fall (47-4 overall)
Addison Burleigh, Sr., Mountainside (6A/5A), 135 – 35 wins by fall (39-7 overall)
Jackson Doman, Sr., Canby (5A), 215 -- 31 wins by fall (42-0 overall)
Mary Jane Duty, Soph., Lebanon (6A/5A), 115 – 32 wins by fall (34-6 overall)
Lyndie Isaacson, Sr., La Grande (4A/3A/2A/1A), 120 – 34 wins by fall (44-10 overall)
Isaac Jordan, Sr., Lebanon (5A), 285 – 33 wins by fall (40-3 overall)
Landon McMahon, Jr., Heppner (2A), 215 -- 33 wins by fall (44-2 overall)
Layla Morris, Sr., Mountainside (6A/5A), 125 – 36 wins by fall (44-0 overall)
Jadyn Pense, Soph., St. Helens (4A/3A/2A/1A), 170 – 41 wins by fall (42-1 overall)
Landyn Philpott, Sr., La Pine (3A), 144 - 34 wins by fall (44-2 overall record)
Lily Ridgley, Jr., Harrisburg (4A/3A/2A/1A), 130 – 31 wins by fall (38-8 overall)
Landon Risseeuw, Soph., Willamina (3A), 215 – 31 wins by fall (34-13 overall)
Avrey Robinson, Soph., La Grande (4A/3A/2A/1A), 110 – 30 wins by fall (30-14 overall)
Lynda Seehafer, Fr., Harrisburg (4A/3A/2A/1A), 125 – 30 wins by fall (36-20 overall)
Gracie Williams, Jr., Harrisburg (4A/3A/2A/1A), 105 – 30 wins by fall (33-9 overall)
Kali Williams, Jr., Oakridge (4A/3A/2A/1A), 130 – 38 wins by fall (44-3 overall)
Nico Yazzolino, Sr., Canby (5A), 138 -- 33 wins by fall (41-4 overall)
The top step
In this section, we list wrestlers with five or more tournament titles this season.
Paige Allen, Sr., La Grande (4A/3A/2A/1A), 145 -- Knife River Invitational, Oregon Trail Championships, Safeway Buckle Classic, Sierra Nevada Classic, Jaybird Memorial, OSAA Girls 4A/3A/2A/1A/ Special District 3
Eli Borrayo, Soph., Lincoln (6A), 120 -- Tyrone Woods Invitational, Tigard Invitational, Tualatin Winter Warriors, Bill Geister Invitational, OSAA 6A PIL
Zachary Brown, Sr., Heppner (2A), 157 – Enterprise Winter Kickoff, Oregon Trail Championship, Culver Invitational, Elgin Memorial, Battle in the Blues Invite, Grant Union tournament, Bank of Eastern Oregon Invitational
Nico Farinola, Sr., Lincoln (6A), 126 -- Rick Sanders Invitational, Larry Owings Invitational, Tigard Invitational, Tualatin Winter Warriors, OSAA 6A PIL
Maverick Heimbuck, Sr., Scappoose (4A), 165 -- Muilenberg, Kelly Bledsoe, Phil White, Mountainside, Cottage Grove Invitational
Lizabeth Henderson, Jr., Mazama (4A/3A/2A/1A), 235 -- Culver Invitational, Junction City Invitational, High Desert Classic, Basin’s Best, Rumble on the Rogue
Landon McMahon, Jr., Heppner (2A), 215 – Culver Invitational, Elgin Memorial, Mac-Hi Christmas Tournament, Jo-Hi, Battle in the Blues Invite, Grant Union tournament, Bank of Eastern Oregon Invitational
Layla Morris, Sr., Mountainside (6A/5A), 125 -- Jaguar Girls Invite, North Bend Coast Classic Girls, Mountainside Girls Tournament, Sierra Nevada Classic, Lady Dragon Invite
Jadyn Pense, Soph., St. Helens (4A/3A/2A/1A), 170 – Kelly Bledsoe tournament, Canby Girls tournament, PAC Coast tournament, Lady Dragon Invite, Vikings Girls Wrestling Invitational, Hood River, Bill Geister, OSAA 4A/3A/2A/1A Special District 1
McKenzie Reilly, Jr., Estacada (4A/3A/2A/1A), 140 -- Lady Ranger Classic, Junction City Girls Invitational, Lady White Buffalo Invitational, 2025 Paul/Larson Girls Invitational, Dayton Girls Night
Eden Ridgley, Fr., Harrisburg (4A/3A/2A/1A), 100 – Deven Dawson Memorial, Coast Classic, Hadden Invitational, Pape Linn County, Harrisburg All Girls, Cottage Grove Invitational, OSAA Girls 4A/3A/2A/1A/ Special District 2
Kiya Roe, Jr., Knappa (4A/3A/2A/1A), 105 – Kelly Bledsoe Invitational, Warrenton Girls Invite, Warrenton Fast Lube and Oil Invite, Bill Hagerty Invitational, Knappa Winter Bash, Dayton, Alsea Bay Classics
Shyla Sells, Fr., Mazama (4A/3A/2A/1A), 135 -- Grants Pass Winter Kickoff, Junction City Invitational, High Desert Classic, Basin’s Best, Corning Girls Invitational, OSAA Girls 4A/3A/2A/1A/ Special District 2
Paxton Steele, Soph. Harrisburg (4A/3A/2A/1A), 110 -- Coast Classic, Hadden Invitational, Pape Linn County, Sutherlin Girls, Cottage Grove Invitational
Gracie Williams, Jr., Harrisburg (4A/3A/2A/1A), 105 -- Coast Classic, Pape Linn County, Sutherlin Girls, Harrisburg All Girls, OSAA Girls 4A/3A/2A/1A/ Special District 2
Kali Williams, Jr., Oakridge (4A/3A/2A/1A), 130 -- Harrisburg All Girls, Kenny Cox Memorial, Coquille Holiday, Sutherlin Girls, Nick Lutz, Willamette Invitational, Cottage Grove Invitational
Blazing blades
In this section, we list wrestlers recording pins this season in 12 or fewer seconds.
8 seconds
Bailey Chaffin, Jr., Sweet Home (4A/3A/2A/1A), 125 – War of the Roses (Dec. 14)
Landon Cramer, Soph., Thurston (5A), 285 – Midwestern League District Championships (Feb. 15)
Kiya Roe, Jr., Knappa (4A/3A/2A/1A), 105 – OSAA 4A/3A/2A/1A Special District 1 (Feb. 15)
9 seconds
Ethan Michaels, Soph., Summit (5A), Frostbite Invitational (Feb.8)
Kaison Smith, Sr., Warrenton (3A), 285 – Warrenton Invite (Dec. 14)
10 seconds
Paige Allen, Sr., La Grande (4A/3A/2A/1A), 145 – Oregon Classic Duals (Jan. 17)
Eli Borrayo, Soph., Lincoln (6A), 120 – OSAA 6A PIL (Feb. 15)
Kenadee Hunter, Sr., Harrisburg (4A/3A/2A/1A), 145 – Oregon Wrestling Classic (Jan. 18)
Bella Rico, Fr., Sweet Home (4A/3A/2A/1A), 130 – War of the Roses (Dec. 14)
Kiya Roe, Jr., Knappa (4A/3A/2A/1A), 105 – Alsea Bay Classics (Jan. 25)
11 seconds
Mysti Ferguson, Soph., Newport (4A/3A/2A/1A), 170 – Your Space Storage Invitational (Jan. 3)
Kiya Roe, Jr., Knappa (4A/3A/2A/1A), 105 – Dayton (Jan. 22)
12 seconds
Addison Burleigh, Sr., Mountainside (6A/5A), 135 – Mountainside Girls Tournament (Dec. 21)
Renae Cook, Jr., Forest Grove (6A/5A), 130 – Rollie Lane Tournament (Jan. 3)
Landon McMahon, Jr., Heppner (2A), 215 – Bank of Eastern Oregon Invitational (Feb. 1)
Layla Morris, Sr., Mountainside (6A/5A), 125 – Jaguar Girls Invite (Dec. 7)
100 % COMMITTED!
In this section, we identify those wrestlers who have made commitments to wrestle in college.
Orinn Hubbard, Sr., Redmond, 190 – University of Saint Mary (Kansas)
Maverick Heimback, Sr., Scappoose, 157 – Trinity College (Connecticut)
Joey Hutchins, Sr., Crater, 138 – Southeastern University (Florida)
Eric Larwin, Sr., Bend, 150 – Eastern Oregon University
If you are a high school varsity wrestling head coach and want to know how you can contribute to future Notebooks, contact John Tawa at johnt@osaa.org
johnt@osaa.org
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