Harrisburg doubles up at CGI
The boys and girls teams from Harrisburg both won the Cottage Grove Invitational over the weekend. The boys’ event had 28 teams; the girls’ 26.
This is the third time this season that both teams won the same tournament.
The boys bested McMinnville, Pleasant Hill, Scappoose and Marshfield behind three champions, Jackson Peterman at 132, Trayson Truesdell at 138 and Brody Buzzard at 190. Truesdell was named Outstanding Wrestler for the lower weights; Buzzard was OW for the upper weights.
Truesdell trailed North Bend’s Parker Pruett, 7-0, in the first period of the 138-pound final and needed to fight from his back for more than a minute to get out of the round. Truesdell rallied to within down two before getting a takedown and near fall in the closing seconds of the match to clinch victory.
Other victors in Cottage Grove included Philomath’s River Sandstrom, who won by decision at 120 over 2024 106-pound 3A state champion Andrei Donayri of Harrisburg; Harley Hardison of Lowell, the 2024 2A/1A state champion at 120 pounds, in the 126-pound bracket; Oakridge’s Kayden Tiller, the 2024 2A/1A state champion at 157 pounds, in the same weight classification; Maverick Heimbuck of Scappoose, the 2024 4A state champion at 157 pounds, in the 165-pound bracket; and Lowell’s David Finch, who improved to 35-1 with a second-period fall in the heavyweight division.
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Harrisburg’s girls won two brackets and scored 120 points total. Freshman Eden Ridgley scored three falls to win at 100 pounds. Paxton Steele won at 110 pounds by defeating two-time state champion Vanessa Keller of Oakridge, 8-1. One week before, Steele lost to Keller, 4-1, at the Harrisburg All Girls tournament.
Oakridge and Grants Pass also eclipsed 100 points in finishing 2-3.
Oakridge entered just five wrestlers and produced two champions: Emmalee Brisette at 115 pounds and Kali Williams at 130.
Other classification winners included Siuslaw’s Macali Lade, who prevailed at 120 pounds; and Cascade’s Chelsea Howard, who pinned Breanna Meek of North Valley to take the title at 235.
Going back to Kali…
Oakridge junior Kali Williams is the defending 4A/3A/2A/1A state champion at 130 pounds. On Saturday in Cottage Grove, she not only won her 40th match of the season, she also picked up career win No. 100.
Williams has seven tournament titles this year and might have had an eighth had she not lost due to a point deduction for having a hair tie on her wrist.
Williams is team captain, carries a 4.0 GPA and is “one of the kindest humans on the planet,” according to coach Dan Nibblett.
Only three other underclassmen in Oregon Girls Wrestling history have eclipsed 100 wins. Senior Kennedy Blanton of Forest Grove currently is the state’s all-time career wins leader (reportedly with 145), but Williams will have an opportunity to break whatever the record is if she finishes up 2025 strong and duplicates her effort as a senior.
“I have coached over 50 state champions, two triple crown winners, and a runner-up at the National Freestyle Championships, but Kali may be the best of them all,” Nibblett said.
Dragon home another title
Dallas won the Southridge Smackdown girls tournament on Saturday by almost 60 points over second-place Southridge. McNary, Forest Grove and Mountainside rounded out the top five in 17-team event.
The victorious Dragons captured four brackets, winning at 100 behind Marissa McGinnis, 105 behind Sinae Fast, 115 behind Polly Oliff (now 46-1 on the year) and Jenna Rogers at 145.
Forest Grove prevailed in two brackets, with Renae Cook winning at 130 and Kennedy Blanton taking first at 140.
No other school won more than one title. Canby’s Emilia Ensrud continued her winning ways by winning the 120-pound bracket by fall in the second period. Layla Morris of Mountainside stayed unbeaten by winning 125 by second-period fall. The champions at 135 (Paige Carrier of Westview), 155 (Dema Al Rubaye of Aloha), 170 (Natalie Wilhoit of Tigard), 190 (Natalia Solorio of Hood River Valley) and 235 (Katie Rehnert of Warrenton) also won their final bouts by fall.
“Why do I coach?”
We asked coaches this week, if they were so inclined, to share why they coach wrestling…
“Why do I coach? Because someone coached me and made a difference in my life that helped me attain a job that I loved (teaching, middle school principal (an interesting place), school superintendent and elementary principal). Each position included coaching wrestling. Each of those educational assignments was a unique experience, but coaching wrestlers has allowed me to see the gains students have made in their lives that will impact them for a lifetime. My philosophy is pretty simple- your first responsibility is your family. I do not want to hear that you are anything less than a positive member. Your second responsibility is your education. If you can't get your work finished and be a positive member of our school you don't have time for wrestling. Your last is wrestling. Work as hard as you can to achieve your goals. I will surround you with positive individuals who will help you achieve your dreams. Coach Lenny Jackich asked me my senior year what I was going to do that fall and I didn't have a clue. He helped guide me and inspire me to attend college in the fall of 1965. That is all the difference. I hope some of my wrestlers will feel that same impact. Coaches do more than coach.” – Doug Hislop, Imbler wrestling
“I got into coaching high school sports right after finishing my college football career at Pacific University. I had played sports my entire life and all of a sudden, I couldn't anymore. My old high school defensive coordinator Grant Boustead had taken the head football coach job at Molalla High School and he reached out to me to see if I would be willing to join his staff. I determined that coaching would be the perfect way to stay competitive in this new life after sports. That was almost 10 years ago now, and while allowing me to remain competitive is still a great perk of the job, I would say my main motivation now is helping to develop young minds. I have been able to pull upon my years of being an athlete to help the current kids I coach overcome similar obstacles, and avoid making similar mistakes as I made. That is what coaching is all about: helping someone become a better person each day regardless of where they start.” – Brandon Harms, Canby wrestling
“As a young man, sports were an outlet that changed the trajectory of my life in a positive way and I want to give that opportunity to other young athletes. I love the challenge, competition, camaraderie, and ability to build relationships outside of my regular teaching day. Coaching can be hard, but in the big picture it is fun to help kids grow and compete. My faith is also a large part of my ‘why’ and I see myself as ‘standing in the gap’ for every student athlete that comes through my programs. Every coach at every level plays at least a small role in the lives of their athletes, and I want mine to be that of a positive role model for kids who need it.” – Matt Penrod, Mazama wrestling
News and notes
Canby beat Hillsboro, 57-24, in a Senior Night league dual to secure the Northwest Oregon Conference league dual meet championship. Canby finished 7-0 in league duals this season, in large part due to the contributions of seven senior boys.
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Burns defeated Culver and Madras to win the La Pine Frostbite Open. The Hilanders had five champions, including two Cornell boys and two Kemper boys.
Ridgeview won the Girls Frostbite Open with three champions.
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Scappoose had three champions to win the Guardian Invitational girls event hosted by Ida B. Wells.
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
39-0 -- Jackson Doman, Sr., Canby (5A), 215
39-0 – Michael Salas Sanchez, Soph., Thurston (5A), 113
35-0 – Joey Hutchins, Sr., Crater (5A), 138
32-0 --Zachary Brown, Sr., Heppner (2A/1A), 157
27-0 -- Jack Mulvahill, Fr. Crescent Valley (5A), 106
26-0 – Dominic Macon, Sr., Nelson (6A), 285
25-0 -- Eric Larwin, Sr., Bend (5A), 150
23-0 – 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 30 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)
Zoe Brewer, Sr., Willamina (4A/3A/2A/1A), 105 – 37 wins by fall (44-4 overall)
Addison Burleigh, Sr., Mountainside (6A/5A), 135 – 35 wins by fall (39-7 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 – 33 wins by fall (40-10 overall)
Isaac Jordan, Sr., Lebanon (5A), 285 – 32 wins by fall (39-3 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 – 38 wins by fall (39-1 overall)
Landyn Philpott, Sr., La Pine (3A), 144 - 34 wins by fall (44-2 overall record)
Landon Risseeuw, Soph., Willamina (3A), 215 – 31 wins by fall (34-13 overall)
Kali Williams, Jr., Oakridge (4A/3A/2A/1A), 130 – 34 wins by fall (40-3 overall)
Nico Yazzolino, Sr., Canby (5A), 138 -- 31 wins by fall (38-4 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
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
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
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
Paxton Steele, Soph. Harrisburg (4A/3A/2A/1A), 110 -- Coast Classic, Hadden Invitational, Pape Linn County, Sutherlin Girls, Cottage Grove Invitational
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, 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]
johnt@osaa.org
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