Cougars Canby first
After taking second as a team last week at the Reser’s Tournament of Champions, Canby went to Clackamas for the 24-team Bill Geister Invitational and dominated the field behind 13 placers, including six champions.
The champions included Dean Williams (126), who avenged an early-season loss with an 11-10 decision in the finals over Grants Pass freshman Zane Hill; Nico Yazzolino (138), who had another come-from-behind victory in the finals over 2024 2A/1A state finalist Kisor Savage of Willamina; and Isaiah Parsons, (190), who won by forfeit over Sprague football star Kenya Johnson.
Matthew Young (144), James Keinonen (175), and undefeated Jackson Doman (215) all dominated in their championship bouts.
Pendleton, Sprague, Grants Pass and Willamina rounded out the top five team finishers.
Pendleton had a champion at 157 in Vance Nelson. Sprague had no champions, but six in the top three. Grants Pass had two champions in Patrick Murphy at 106 and Owen Hull at 165. After an injury that ended his junior season in December, 2023, and two subsequent surgeries, Hull is 31-1 as a senior and a favorite to win a state title. Willamina’s lone champion was Adonijah Stanton at 132 pounds.
Other notable winners included sophomore Caleb Enochs of Clackamas at 113 and Nelson’s Dominic Macon at 285. Enochs was state 6A runner up at 106 last year while Macon, who is undefeated on the season; is the defending 6A heavyweight champion.
St. Helens tops field in Clackamas
St. Helens edged Centennial to win the 27-team Bill Geister Girls Invitational.
Jadyn Pense won her bracket at 170 pounds to improve to 39-1 on the year with 38 pins. She was named the tournament’s outstanding wrestler.
Kallee Kester (140) was the Lions’ other champion. The senior, who was third at State the past two seasons at 135, won by first-period fall, the 100th pin of her career.
“The team is getting healthy and getting in the right weight classes prior to Regionals,” said coach Scott Revis. “Expect us to challenge for the Regional title and a top four finish at State.”
Centennial, Barlow, Sprague and Grants Pass completed the first five.
Centennial had a champion at 235 in Imani Hamlet.
Freshman Taylor Ward of Barlow took her bracket at 125.
Chaya Palomo of Sprague prevailed at 100 pounds.
Sophomore Kendra Johnston won by fall for Grants Pass in a 155-pound bracket that saw the top seed. Cleveland’s Isabel Herring (43-2), the defending state champion at 170 pounds; lose by fall to Willamina’s Sadie Risseeuw in the semifinals.
Other champions of note included Willamina senior Zoe Brewer, who handed Knappa’s Kiya Roe her first loss of the year by first-period fall in the championship bout at 105; Paisley Conway of Newberg, who continued her dazzling sophomore campaign by winning at 110 after placing second in the state last year at 105; and Canby sophomore Emilia Ensrud, who edged past her finals opponent, 7-4, to win at 120;
Bowmen like their Berger well done
Sherwood won the 20-team Jack Berger Boys Invitational hosted by Silverton HS.
The Bowmen had two champions, sophomore Caden Burnett at 106 and sophomore Grayson Fabrycki at 150.
Sandy finished 12.5 points behind in second, with Silverton, McMinnville and Glencoe all putting up impressive point totals in top five finishes.
Sandy won a bracket thanks to senior Nicholas Yarnell’s showing at 144.
Silverton saw Bo Zurcher improve to 35-4 with a finals fall at 165. Zurcher was third at State in 165 last year. Brash Henderson also won for the Foxes at 215. He is the reigning 5A state heavyweight champion.
McMinnville’s lone champ was Broc Kamp at 126.
Glencoe had two upper weight champions, Isaac Reynoso at 175 and James Rolla Camden Roofener at 190.
Westview and Lebanon each had two champions. Westview won at 120 and 132 behind brothers Ayden and Amir Khanjan.
Isaac Jordan of Lebanon continued to dominate the heavyweight division. Teammate Seth Winn won at 157 by technical fall, his 15th tech fall on the year!
Sky high Skyhawks
Southridge took the 16-team Jack Berger Girls Invitational, edging Hillsboro by 13.5 points. The Skyhawks had no champions, but did place four in the finals.
Freshman Amarie Medina won at 130 for Hillsboro.
News and notes
Thurston won the boys’ and girls’ events at the Tod Surmon/Mid Valley Classic.
The boys outpointed West Albany by almost 80 and had six champions, including still-undefeated Michael Salas Sanchez at 113.
The girls also dominated and had six champions, led by seniors Eily Asher (100) and Kristal Zamora (140).
Lebanon had a champion in sophomore Mary Jane Duty (110). Senior Lita Haworth finished second at 135 for the Warriors.
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Culver got past Irrigon to win the 14-team Bank of Eastern Oregon Invitational boys tournament. Culver had four champions to three for Irrigon.
Imbler wrestled four and had two finish second, sophomores Evan Burns and Anthony Pallis. Pallis’ loss came to Zachary Brown of Heppner at 157. Brown remains unbeaten on the year.
Riverside captured the 11-team girls invitational with five champions.
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Redmond won the 13-team Hood River Memorial Tournament over the weekend. The Panthers had six finalists with Billy Jackson (132) and Gannon McNulty (157) taking individual titles.
Forest Grove, Dallas and Barlow also put up impressive point totals in finishing 2-3-4. Forest Grove had four champions, including Archie De La Rosa at 120.
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Newport’s girls competed at the Harrisburg All-Girls Tournament, but were short-handed due to injury and illness. The Cubs entered five and took 10th out of 18 teams. Mysti Ferguson pinned her way through the 170-pound bracket. She won the championship bout in 32 seconds before rushing home to be a princess in Newport’s Winter Ball Formal. Sophomore Chloe Sacket also had a good day, with three wins at 155 after having only amassed five previously year to date.
Dallas won the team title easily behind its senior stars, Ah Pymm McDaniel and Polly Oliff. Both won, at 110 pounds and 115 respectively, over the Oakridge duo of Vanessa Keller and Emmallee Brisette. Keller was the 4A/3A/2A/1A state champion last year at 105, while Brisette placed fourth at 115.
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Franklin senior Dane Hartmann (175 pounds) earned his 100thh career win at the on Friday at the Bill Geister Invitational. Hartmann, who was third last year at State at 175 pounds, placed sixth at the same weight in Clackamas.
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La Grande’s girls won their Senior Night dual over Richland of Washington, with all five seniors scoring the maximum six points in their matches. Kierstyn Azure (105), Lyndie Isaacson (120), Rilley Robinson (135) and Paige Allen all won by fall, while Macy Iramk did not have an opponent at 235.
Standout freshmen
In this section, we recognize freshmen wrestlers who have made significant impacts on their varsity teams. Note that wrestlers had to be nominated to be included here. There may be many more freshmen doing great things in Oregon.
Levi Conley, Harrisburg (3A), 138 – Conley has been a pinning machine as a freshman, putting 20 opponents’ shoulders to the mat in a 24-5 start to his wrestling career. “Levi is very coachable and picks up on new technique very quickly,” said coach Desmond Bennett. “He has adapted very quickly to being in a high school wrestling room.”
Emmeline Livingston, La Grande (4A/3A/2A/1A), 130 – Livingstone is a newcomer to the sport with a 26-12 overall record, including 20 wins by fall. She finished the Oregon Classic Duals with a 7-1 record. “She has quickly developed a formidable cross-face cradle and is dominating on her feet,” noted coach Rusty Gulzow.
Jack Mulvahill, Crescent Valley (5A), 106 – Mulvahill is undefeated in his first varsity campaign and has four championship titles to his credit.
Sofia Patterson, Lincoln (6A/5A), 105 – Patterson has compiled a 30-5 record in her first year of wrestling. “She has great motion, heart, and is just starting to find her style and rhythm,” noted coach John Farinola. “Winning the Hood River Girls Tourney, placing at the Kelso 64 Braided Tourney, and showing up on the podium almost every weekend proves she is one to keep an eye on!”
Eden Ridgley, Harrisburg (4A/3A/2A/1A), 100 – Ridgley is 30-3 on the year for the Eagles, with five wins over returning state placers. “Eden wrestles in great position and because of that she’s always in every match,” said coach Desmond Bennett.
Shyla Sells, Mazama (4A/3A/2A/1A), 135 – Sells is undefeated on the year and has won five tournaments, including one in Northern California. “Shyla has been dominant on the mat with great awareness, an aggressive style, and a humble work ethic that bodes well for her future in the sport,” said coach Matt Penrod. “She has won every tournament entered this year including several USA wrestling events and the Kids State Championship. Every win has come by fall except one major decision in the finals of the 40-team Corning Invitational.”
Undefeateds
In this recurring category, we list wrestlers with 15 or more wins who are currently undefeated on the season.
38-0 -- Jackson Doman, Sr., Canby (5A), 215
38-0 -- Layla Morris, Sr., Mountainside (6A/5A), 125
33-0 – Michael Salas Sanchez, Soph., Thurston (5A), 113
32-0 --Zachary Brown, Sr., Heppner (2A), 157
31-0 – Jaret Hickey, Jr., Crater (5A), 144
30-0 – Joey Hutchins, Sr., Crater (5A), 138
27-0 -- Jack Mulvahill, Fr. Crescent Valley (5A), 106
26-0 – Dominic Macon, Sr., Nelson (6A), 285
21-0 -- Eric Larwin, Sr., Bend (5A), 150
21-0 – Paisley Conway, Soph., Newberg (6A/5A), 110
18-0 -- Shyla Sells, Fr., Mazama (4A/3A/2A/1A), 135
Legends of the fall
In this section, we list wrestlers with 20 or more falls this season.
Paige Allen, Sr., La Grande (4A/3A/2A/1A), 145 – 34 wins by fall (41-4 overall)
Maddie Armstrong, Jr., La Grande (4A/3A/2A/1A), 190 – 31 wins by fall (39-6 overall)
Kierstyn Azure, Sr., La Grande (4A/3A/2A/1A), 110 – 20 wins by fall (22-14 overall)
Forrest Baumbaugh, Jr., Canby (5A), 126 -- 23 wins by fall (31-9 overall)
Zachary Brown, Sr., Heppner (2A), 157 – 26 wins by fall (32-0 overall)
Addison Burleigh, Sr., Mountainside (6A/5A), 135 – 29 wins by fall (36-6 overall)
Helena Calderia, Sr., Southridge (6A/5A), 155 – 25 wins by fall (27-10 overall)
Journey Cavan, Jr., Heppner (4A/3A/2A/1A/0, 135 -- 24 wins by fall (30-13 overall)
Levi Conley, Fr., Harrisburg (3A), 138 – 20 wins by fall (24-5 overall)
Marcelas Curtis, Sr., Lincoln (6A0, 157/165 – 21 wins by fall (25-12 overall)
Katelyn Davis, Sr., Southridge (6A/5A), 120 – 22 wins by fall (22-10 overall)
Archie De La Rosa, Soph., Forest Grove (6A), 120 – 25 wins by fall (38-2 overall)
Jackson Doman, Sr., Canby (5A), 215 --32 wins by fall (38-0 overall)
Mary Jane Duty, Soph., Lebanon (6A/5A), 115 – 30 wins by fall (32-5 overall)
Mysti Ferguson, Soph., Newport (4A/3A/2A/1A), 170 – 20 wins by fall (20-6 overall)
Cadence Fineran, Sr., McNary (6A/5A), 130 -- 20 wins by fall (30-7 overall)
Riley Flack, Sr., La Pine (3A), 126 – 23 pins by fall (30-8 overall)
Owen Guerra, Jr., Heppner (2A), 175 – 25 wins by fall (30-12 overall)
Lita Haworth, Sr., Lebanon (6A/5A), 140 – 21 wins by fall (26-6 overall)
Jaret Hickey, Jr., Crater (5A), 144 – 24 wins by fall (31-0 overall)
Joey Hutchins, Sr., Crater (5A), 138 – 27 wins by fall (30-0 overall)
Lyndie Isaacson, Sr., La Grande (4A/3A/2A/1A), 120 – 33 wins by fall (40-10 overall)
Isaac Jordan, Sr., Lebanon (5A), 285 – 32 wins by fall (39-3 overall)
Jack Kaefring, Sr., Mazama (4A), 190 – 20 wins by fall (28-5 overall)
James Keinonen, Sr., Canby (5A), 175 -- 26 wins by fall (39-5 overall)
Elsa King, Sr., Southridge (6A/5A), 145 – 21 wins by fall (23-10 overall)
Leif Larwin, Soph., Bend (5A), 175 – 22 wins by fall (33-1 overall)
Emmeline Livingston, Fr., La Grande (4A/3A/2A/1A), 130 – 20 wins by fall (26-12 overall)
Alexander Maurer, Sr., Canby (5A), 285 -- 21 wins by fall (25-11 overall)
Landon McMahon, Jr., Heppner (2A), 215 – 29 wins by fall (39-2 overall)
Layla Morris, Sr., Mountainside (6A/5A), 125 – 31 wins by fall (38-0 overall)
Jadyn Pense, Soph., St. Helens (4A/3A/2A/1A), 170 – 38 wins by fall (39-1 overall)
Landyn Philpott, Sr., La Pine (3A), 144 - 26 wins by fall (36-2 overall record)
Lily Ridgley, Jr., Harrisburg (4A/3A/2A/1A), 130 – 25 wins by fall (31-6 overall)
Avrey Robinson, Soph. La Grande (4A/3A/2A/1A), 115 – 27 wins by fall (27-13 overall)
Rilley Robinson, Sr., La Grande (4A/3A/2A/1A), 135 – 23 wins by fall (27-13 overall)
Aliyah Sauceda, Jr., Dayton (4A/3A/2A/1A), 170 – 26 wins by fall (26-2 overall)
Lynda Seehafer, Fr., Harrisburg (4A/3A/2A/1A), 125 – 23 wins by fall (28-17 overall)
McKenna Unger, Jr., McNary (6A/5A), 140 -- 22 wins by fall (27-3 overall)
Gracie Williams, Jr., Harrisburg (4A/3A/2A/1A), 105 – 24 wins by fall (28-8 overall)
Nico Yazzolino, Sr., Canby (5A), 138 -- 30 wins by fall (37-4 overall)
The top step
In this section, we list wrestlers with four 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
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
Jackson Doman, Sr., Canby (5A), 215 -- Herrin Holiday Classic, Larry Owings Invitational, Reser's TOC, Bill Geister Invitational
Nico Farinola, Sr., Lincoln (6A), 126/132 -- Rick Sanders, Larry Owings, Tigard Invitational, Tualatin Winter Warriors
Maverick Heimbuck, Sr., Scappoose (4A), 165 -- Muilenberg, Kelly Bledsoe, Phil White, Mountainside
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
Jack Mulvahill, Fr., Crescent Valley (5A), 106 -- Grants Pass Winter Kickoff, the Lebanon Invitational, The Benton County Championship, Screaming Eagle Tournament
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
Landyn Philpott, Sr., La Pine (3A), 144 -- Adrian Irwin Invite, Culver Invite, GFP Outlaw Invite, Rollie Lane Invitational
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
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
Kaison Smith, Sr., Warrenton (3A), 285 -- Kelly Bledsoe, Warrenton Fast Lube Invitational, Knappa Winter Bash, Bob Beisell Invitational
Emma Stalcup, Soph., Estacada (4A/3A/2A/1A), 235 -- Lady Ranger Classic, Lady White Buffalo Invitational, 2025 Paul/Larson Girls Invitational, Dayton Girls Night
Paxton Steele, Soph. Harrisburg (4A/3A/2A/1A), 110 -- Coast Classic, Hadden Invitational, Pape Linn County, Sutherlin Girls
Nico Yazzolino, Sr., Canby (5A), 138 -- Herrin Holiday Classic, Larry Owings Invitational, Reser's TOC, Bill Geister Invitational
Blazing blades
In this section, we list wrestlers recording pins this season in 12 or fewer seconds.
8 seconds
Bailey Chaffin, Sr., Sweet Home (4A/3A/2A/1A), 125 – War of the Roses (Dec. 14)
9 seconds
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)
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 [email protected]
