We have been asking coaches to share their team’s outlooks for the winter season. Below you’ll find information synopsized from completed forms.
Varsity coaches may still complete our forms at these links:
Boys wrestling -- https://osaa.wufoo.com/forms/ze0r2yi17tdfjm/
Girls wrestling -- https://osaa.wufoo.com/forms/zm0b711vhi7yp/
BOYS
6A
West Linn has been on quite the run the past three years, finishing no worse than third and with its first team title in 2023. The Lions finished strong last year to place second overall behind Newberg. Coach Kevin Keeney’s squad should be in the mix again despite graduating three state champions, including two-timers Henry Dillingham and Charlie Spinning. Two-time reigning state champ Oscar Doces is back along with three returning state placers and six other state qualifiers. Keep an eye on freshman Darion Johnson in the lower weight classes. He works hard and will impact early in his career.
Sprague is on a run of 12 straight conference championships and has placed outside the top 10 in the state just once over the past decade. The Olympians took fifth last year and could be in line for a top-five finish again in 2025. Although Coach A.J. Antillon graduated a solid senior class, the current senior class is even stronger, led by Kenya Johnson, Carson Hunsaker and Jaxon Camillo, all state placers last winter. The team adds junior Javi Mendoza, a state finalist last year for 3A Jefferson; and has a freshman with potential in Marcus Ackerman. Sprague is very strong in the middle weights. Solutions at the top and bottom of the lineup will go a long way towards ensuring a team trophy at the Coliseum in February.
South Medford’s sixth-place finish at state last year was its best yet. The Panthers, under third-year head coach James Schumack, has become a top 10 program over the past couple of seasons. With a strong returning group, led by reigning undefeated state champion Bridger Foss, the team has designs on a top-four finish in 2025. Others to watch for South Medford are Isa De La Torre, Corbyn Schumack, Caleb Dalke, Vaughn Graff, Brody Foss, Caden Miller, Wes Boyd and Keegan Thonstad. Add a sizeable freshman class and the Panthers have both the quality and depth to see their goals for the season realized.
Sandy has been a constant in the state top 10 and checked in seventh last year after winning its second straight conference title. A talented senior class has graduated but the expectations are high due to team depth and motivation to show that this iteration of Pioneer wrestling can compete with the upper echelon of 6A. Junior Aaron Burke, who is expected to wrestle at 113 after placing sixth at 106 last year; is a standout to watch, along with talented seniors Nick Yarnell, Bradley Green, Nick Harrell and Jared Scott. All have the potential to place.
Liberty has a new coach in Chris Barnes and he is saying all the right things. “I don’t know the history of the program. Where the team has been is not as important to us as where we are going as a program.” “If you walked through the wrestling room door to join our program, you just became part of something great. You just became the most important kid in the room to our staff.” “The only realistic expectation I have for these kids is to perform their best by believing in themselves, their sport, their team and their coaching staff.” Wrestlers to watch for the Falcons include seniors Christian Royal and Mario Page and juniors Cruz Benson, Brayden Decker and Dallas Ochoa.
Injuries hampered Century last season, but those injuries provided opportunities for younger wrestlers to gain experience and confidence. This is a young team looking to match last year’s state finish just outside the top 10. The Jaguars have junior Damian Elizarraras back. He’s a two-time state placer in the middle weights. Three other underclass state qualifiers return in Ethan Brunner, Victor Shipley and Jorge Rodriguez. Leo Hammer’s team is good in the middle weights and has some big boys who can hold their own. A surprise or two in the lower weights could elevate this team beyond its modest expectations.
Grant had 10 state qualifiers a year ago and brings back many, all but one of whom is an underclassman. Coach Warren McPherson thinks he has the right mix to compete for a PIL title and could put 3-4 on the podium at state. Junior Austin Tenkhoff, PIL champion at 126 pounds; leads the returnees, which also include Cassius Lesperance, Olin Waxler, Bradan Lasse, Joaquin Alomia and Judah Barnett. McPherson said that his kids did great work in the offseason. He is excited to see it pay dividends for his squad.
McNary qualified eight for the state tournament last year. Seven are returning, putting the Celtics in position to improve significantly on their 37th-place finish from last year. Senior Derek Jones, a District champion at 120 and two-time state qualifier, leads an experienced returning group that also includes Luis Martinez Hernandez, Rafa Mosqueda, Diego Piceno, Pedro Schay Vega and Liam Koenig. McNary has a proud tradition in wrestling and won a team title 50 years ago. This year’s team won’t replicate the feat, but has the depth and experience to surprise teams in dual meets and send several wrestlers to the state meet.
North Salem has had state champions in seven of the past eight years. This is a young Viking squad with lots of talent in the lower weights. Senior RJ Chacon, a two-time District champ, will lead the squad, which also included sophomore Max Rodriguez, a District champion as a freshman. Coach Andrew Pickett is very excited about a couple of youngsters, freshman Kamari Magana (113) and Yandel “Lil Evil” Basham, who should impact statewide at 106 after winning 6-7 state titles as a youth wrestler.
Gresham brings back all of its impact wrestlers from last year, including three seniors who were state qualifiers: Vance Abbott, Owen Granberg and Kevin Thongonmar. This is a committed group determined to bring a winning mentality to the Gopher program while concurrently creating a second home for the wrestlers in it.
Franklin had five wrestlers last year finish the season with 25 or more wins, including junior Dane Hartmann, who went 35-2 and placed third at 175 at the state meet. Hartmann leads a quartet of successful senior returnees at the middle weights, including Ian Lite, Jonah Schwarz and Bruno Geisler. The Lightning are senior-heavy in the varsity lineup, but also very, very deep, with 90 out for the sport. Expect this group to contend for a city title.
5A
Thurston took second in 5A a year ago and is pre-season No. 1 in the OSAAtoday Coaches Poll. The Colts, under veteran head coach Mike Simons, have massive numbers and talent. They have come back from the state meet with a team trophy for seven straight years, including consecutive runner up finishes the past two. Seniors Colton Annis, Mason Hakki, Sean Regas and Holton Halstead lead an experienced returning group, which includes 10 state placers. Annis won a state title last year while Hakki, Regas and sophomore Michael Salas Sanchez each placed second.
Redmond had a school-record 10 state placers last season, when its placed third at state, and has finished among the top four six times in coach Kris Davis’ 12-year tenure with the program. The Panthers graduated a deep class with firepower, including two state champions; but has a deep team once again, led by Ryder Lee, Billy Jackson, Orinn Hubbard and Mason Thynes. Two transfers, Owen McLouth from Pendleton and Gannon McNulty from Eagle Point, bolster an already impressive group with an expectation to finish top four again and the potential to win it all.
Canby won the NWOC and Districts last year and finished top 10 at the state meet for the third straight year. The Cougars, who were fifth in 2024, lose leadership in the form of four graduated seniors but bring back a ton that could have Brandon Harms’ team vying for a top-four finish. The bell cow is Jackson Doman, the undefeated state champion at 215 last year. He became Canby’s first state champ since 2010. The Cougars could place others atop the podium this year, including sophomore Trey Smith, junior Dean Williams and seniors James Keinonen, Isaiah Parsons, Nico Yazzolino and Matthew Young. Look for senior Alex Maurer to shore up the heavyweight position. Maurer is back to wrestling after taking two years off to focus on football. He is strong and athletic and could be a force by season’s end.
North Eugene is growing a program. The Highlanders had a record 60 wrestlers out last year and had three qualify for state. All but one impact wrestlers returns, including seniors Victor Olivera-Ruiz and Josh Dameron and fast-improving junior William Perault. Harbour Green, Gavin Gambill, Riley Whitwood and Kadyn Cruz are others to watch for a team that expects to finish third in conference behind powerhouse teams Thurston and Crater and to qualify 10 or more wrestlers for state.
4A
Mazama has been a consistent top 10 program over the past five years but has yet to earn a team trophy. A strong core of seniors, including two multi-time state placers, have graduated, and the fall saw the Vikings lose more than a couple to serious injuries. Still, the hope remains to qualify many for the state tournament. Among the boys to watch are seniors Jack Kaefring and Mike Rasdal, juniors Jayden Justice, Brody Van Gastel, Cameron Metler and Isaac Stacey and sophomore Johnny Little. The team has strength in numbers, which may help compensate for those lost to graduation or injury.
3A
Harrisburg had 15 state placers last year on its way to a first state title. The Eagles, who have been contenders the past five years, graduated almost half of their point scorers, but Desmond Bennett’s squad returns its most impactful wrestlers, including state champions Andrei Donayri, Brody Buzzard and Luke Cheek. Buzzard is a two-time state champion and Cheek has won three state titles. State runner up Jackson Peterman and third-place finishers Trayson Truesdell and Hunter Langham also are back. The Eagles also bring on four newcomers, each of whom has a chance to place at the state tournament.
Nyssa was sixth at State last year and saw Ashton Wilson complete his high school career with a state title at 157 pounds. The good news for the Bulldogs is that Wilson was one of only two state qualifiers to graduate. Bobby DeLeon’s team returns five other wrestlers who made the state meet, including sophomore Liam Butler, junior Nate Beck and senior LeRoy Phillips, who each made the podium. The returning core, plus several impact youngsters, including middle school state champion Aiden Baker, should make this Nyssa team a favorite to leave the Coliseum with a team trophy in February.
Santiam Christian’s 2024-2025 season included two tournament wins, the first in one year in program history. The Eagles finished second behind Harrisburg at Districts and scored enough points for 22nd at State. This year’s team has the potential to be the best in school history. Coach Justin Doyle has a varsity squad that goes 25 strong, he graduated no one off of last year’s team and he brings back state placers Jeremy Ness, Kamran Ness and Sam Schmidgall. A couple of talented freshman make a top 4-6 finish for the Eagles a realistic goal in a very competitive 3A classification.
Taft does not have a pedigree in the sport. Its high water mark came in 2019, when the Tigers sent eight to State and had two place among the top six. This year’s team is tight knit but small in numbers. Sophomore Braylen Evjen has a chance to make the state meet and get onto the podium.
2A/1A
Union / Cove returns its entire squad and has designs on finishing higher than its T-21 of a year ago. Sam Platz, second in the state last year at 165, leads the returning wrestlers. Larry McKaig is another to watch. The Bobcats are building towards being a competitive program. They have good team chemistry but will need more participation to make a mark at state and district meets.
In its third year as a program, Regis qualified six wrestlers for the state tournament and finished 15th overall. Five of the six qualifiers have graduated, however, including 2023 champ and 2024 runner up Thomas Bischoff. The Rams face the challenge of matching last year’s collective achievement with a relatively inexperienced group. Wrestlers to watch include sophomore Josh Crowell, a state placer a year ago; as well as senior John Nusom and junior Eli Bischoff.
Oakland had a big turnout – 30 kids – to start this year, not bad for a school known for basketball over the winter. The Oakers return football star Coen Egner, who finished fourth at 165 last year; as well as two other state qualifiers, Tyler Garner and Ezra Chouinard (did not compete last year). Freshman Cash Good is expected to make an impact this year. Many out this year have no previous wrestling experience. Time to coach ‘em up good, Ian Patt!
Kennedy is not a traditional wrestling power. The Trojans finished T-28 last year at State. This year’s squad has four impact wrestlers in senior Julio Reyes Hernandez, sophomore Creo Walker and freshmen Caleb Kline and Bohden Sowa.
Imbler is a young team comprised mainly of freshmen and sophomores. The two sophomores competed at the state tournament last year and could place in 2025. A couple of the freshmen could be competitive at Districts; a couple more have never wrestled before. “It is a work in progress,” said coach Doug Hislop. “I am really enjoying these student-athletes. The parent and community support in Imbler is amazing. We are blessed to represent this school.”
GIRLS
6A/5A
Thurston has won five state championships – OSAA-sanctioned and otherwise – over the past eight seasons, including last year. The Colts return 2024 state champion at 155, Izabella Castleberry, as well as six other state placers. Three, Elly Asher, Kristal Zamora and Emily Zerr, are seniors. This is a deep and experienced squad that could repeat but will face stiff challenges in 2025.
Forest Grove started the year No. 2 in the coaches poll. The 2022 state champions finished sixth last year, but graduated no one. The Vikings could make a push for the state title behind prolific seniors Kennedy Blanton and Kailea Takahashi, junior Renea Cook and freshman Perla Izquierdo. Blanton and Takahashi are each three-time finalists and one-time champions. Cook is a tow-time state runner up and Izquierdo was a 2024 middle school state champion.
North Medford was fifth at State last year. The Black Tornado, who won the 6A/5A title in 2023; bring back state champions Skylar Hall and Sadie Hall. They also have three-time state qualifier Lalaine Chan and an impact transfer in Alixia Hernandez, a state finalist at 190 pounds last year for Eagle Point. This is a team that could win a state title in 2025, but small numbers (11) may hurt when other programs have twice as many or more wrestlers.
Redmond was third at State last year and returns most of its roster, including five who placed among the top four last year. Senior MacKenzie Shearon is the most decorated. She is tied for the second-most wins in state history and was 50-3 last year. Reina Barnes Rubio, Gemma Delance, Mia Pedersen and Jayda Nance are back for a team that expects to be in the mix to take the team title this year.
McNary was a top 10 state finisher last year with six individuals qualifying for the tournament. The Celtics graduated two-time champion Ali Martinez and five other foundational members but bring back two state placers in sophomore Marlina Martinez and junior McKenna Unger, plus five others who should make the tournament and score points this year. Sam Martin’s team also welcomes freshman Solé Bartlemay, a middle school state champion, making this a dangerous team that could take home a state trophy (fourth or better) and might make a run at the top spot.
Mountainside checked in ninth at State last season, its third as a girls program. The Mavericks graduated only one but lost three other impact wrestlers, two to moves out of state and another who is not competing this year. That makes the team less complete, but there remains talent to compete, like returning state champion Layla Morris (115), state placer Addison Burleigh and Natalie Kawaguchi, a strong competitor who was sidelined late in the season by injury. Coach Michael Matthews said the team’s expectation is to win the Metro League, have multiple state placers and finish top eight or better in the team competition.
South Medford’s girls team got larger last year and it had its first state placer. Leilarose Cala, fifth at 155 last year, returns for a young and growing team. Keep an eye on freshman Gracie Arredondo. She could make an early impact for the Panthers.
Olivia Froelich was the first district champion in North Eugene history last season. She has graduated, but the Highlanders, which usually only had a few girls wrestling, has many, many back, including Abby Hock and Keana Lopez. This could be a breakout season for Tyler Conner’s squad.
Lebanon had a “small but mighty” team in Brooklyn McElroy’s first season as head coach. The team has seven this year, including state placer Lita Haworth, who was fifth last year at 135. The Warriors also get back Mary Jane Duty, whose 2024 season was cut short due to injury.
Hillsboro won its district meet last year and always has numbers. The Spartans had a half-dozen qualify for national tournaments in the off-season and started the high school year off in style by winning the Jaguar Girls Invite. Maria Siquina Can, Ionea Martinez, Leticia Martinez, Danica Kirkwood and Nelly Lozano are key returning wrestlers. Freshman Amarie Medina, second in the state last year as an eighth grader, should be an impact newcomer.
Grant graduated Lillian Courtnage-Dyke, the school’s first-ever state placer and a “trailblazer” for the girls’ program according to coach Warren McPherson. The Generals now have over a dozen girls wrestling sophomore Niazael Orduna Torres and senior Esperanza Walsh.
4A/3A/2A/1A
Hannah Henderson has graduated from Harrisburg and taken her 33-match winning streak, including the state title at 155 pounds, with her. The Eagles have other strong returners, however, like sophomore Paxton Steele, the state champ at 110; and junior placers Gracie Williams and Lily Ridgley. Freshman Eden Ridgley and athletic Lynda Seehafer and Kenadee Hunter give Harrisburg a group with the potential to contend for the team title if all can stay healthy.
Newport continues as a program on the rise. The Cubs did not score at last year’s state meet but almost certainly will in 2025, with junior Camille Keck anchoring the squad. Keck has high-level athleticism and should make the podium for Newport, which also has Mysti Ferguson and Zoie Garcia. Among newcomers, senior Cielo Borbonio-Cervantes is strong and could do damage in her lone year on the mat. Freshmen Lacey Sutherland and Ruby Montano have high ceilings for a Cub team that has an outside shot at a top 10 team finish at State.
Union/Cove is a small school program with an experience deficit on the girls’ side. The Bobcats are building through positivity and hopeful of qualifying one wrestler for the state tournament..
Taft is looking to put two on the podium this year among the four hardworking wrestlers in its program. Senior Julia Towers was a state participant last year, junior Olivia Hertz has experience and newcomers Janelle Towers and Davercitie Leggett are tough and love the sport.
Mazama will build around state qualifier Liz Henderson, a junior. Abigail Irish and Emma Johnson also are back. Coach Matt Penrod has high hopes for freshman Shyla Sells. She could be a state contender this year at 130 pounds.
St. Helens is sixth in the pre-season coaches poll and has the numbers to exceed last year’s seventh-place finish at State, even with Katelynn Leonard, third at 110, lost to graduation. The Lions have 25 wrestlers in the freshman and sophomore classes combined, including soph Jadyn Pense, state champion in 2024 at 170 pounds; and soph Annaliese Steele, a state qualifier. St. Helens also returns senior Kallee Kester, who has twice been third at 130 pounds; and junior Ivy Musch, who was a state qualifier as a freshman but injured much of last season. The Lions welcome four freshmen who have top three finishes on their resumes in the middle school state tournament. The team was close to winning a top-four trophy last year. This year it is a realistic expectation.
Estacada is in Year 2 of having a girls’ program and the Rangers have seen their numbers triple. That’s good, because Kirsten Delazerda, a senior last year, has graduated after placing second at State in 2024. This year’s team has no seniors and lots of experience and could be a top 10 team. Juniors Mckenzie Reilly, Abby Taylor and Camilla Spieth and sophomore Emma Stalcup and Callie Hardesty will lead the way.
Oakland has never had a state placer. Two qualifiers have graduated but senior Aurianna Van Houten returns and has the potential to put her name in the Oaker record books this winter.
johnt@osaa.org
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