6A/5A girls and 4A, 3A and 2A/1A boys held District tournaments last weekend.
Tickets were punched.
There were some shockers, too!
Here’s what happened:
Run Forest run!
With two champions, six state qualifiers and nine placers, Forest Grove’s girls won 6A/5A Special District 1, overcoming touch challenges from Southridge and Hillsboro. The District title was the first for the Vikings, who won State in 2022.
Forest Grove’s two champions were Renae Cook at 130 pounds and Kennedy Blanton at 140. Blanton, a defending state champion, won her third District title and was named OW for the upper weights. She entered her senior season as the state’s all-time career wins leader with 115 and is 34-1 this year with 28 pins.
Junior Gemma Johnson, a first-year wrestler, qualified for State by placing fourth at 125 pounds. That’s quite a feat because that bracket was loaded! Layla Morris of Mountainside won at 125 pounds to improve to 47-0 on the year. Aloha’s Archer McLain was second with Johnson’s Forest Grove teammate, senior Kailea Takahashi, third.
Other champions in the district included undefeated Newberg sophomore Paisley Conway at 105, Aloha sophomore Dema Al Rubaye at 155 and defending state heavyweight champion Bianca Miranda of Liberty at 235.
Canby sophomore Emilia Ensrud won her first District title at 115 and was one of three Cougars to qualify for the state tournament. Isabella Quesada also impressed by placing second only to Cook at 130 pounds.
No one gets by Centennial
6A/5A Special District 2 saw seven teams pile up more than 100 points, but none more than Centennial, which won by 13.5 points over Barlow. The District title was the first for the Eagles since 2020.
Centennial qualified just three for State and emerged with just one District champion: freshman Genesis Anguiano at 110 pounds.
Special District 2 also witnessed a second freshman take a title, Barlow’s Taylor Ward at 125. And two from the PIL, reigning state champions Zorina Johnson of Ida B. Wells and Isabel Herring of Cleveland, repeated as District champions by winning at 130 and 155, respectively. Johnson remains unbeaten on the season.
Barlow, Clackamas and Lincoln each had two champions. Seniors Fera Thomas (115) and Micah Muir (120) prevailed for Lincoln, giving the Cardinals their first girls District champions since the OSAA began recognizing the sport.
Dallas stars
Dallas captured its second consecutive District title, winning 6A/5A Special District 3 by almost 100 points over McNary and McKay. The Dragons, who finished second in the state last year, got individual championships from stalwarts Polly Oliff (115) and Jenna Rogers (145) as well as freshman Gabriella Dyer (155). Oliff, a two-time state champion, defeated Jennifer Russell of Corvallis in the District final, avenging her only loss on the year. Oliff also defeated Russell in the 100-pound state final last year.
McKay, McNary, Corvallis and West Albany all took home two individual titles.
McKay won at 100 and 105 behind senior Sarahi Chavez and sophomore Aileen Paniagua. Chavez is the defending state champion at 100 and unbeaten this season.
Sophomore Marlina Martinez (110) and junior McKenna Unger (140) won titles for McNary. Both were top four placers at State last year.
Corvallis crowned seniors Syriana Bird (130) and Ryann Sharp (170).
West Albany’s champions were junior Naudie Edmiston (125) and sophomore Macie Manning (125).
Central sophomore Liliana Alvarez won at 135,the first District champion for the girls program.
Lebanon sent two on to after Lita Haworth (135) and Eva Graves (190) battled through tough brackets to the finals before falling.
Playing defense
Defending 6A/5A state champion Thurston outpointed Redmond, 270.5 to 231.5, to capture Special District 4 and win a District title for the fifth consecutive year. The defending state champion Colts had four individual champions: senior Eily Asher (100), sophomore Teagan Merritt (115), senior Kristal Zamora (140) and junior Izabella Castleberry (190), a state champion last year at 155. Zamora, who finished second in the state last year to Blanton of Forest Grove, won her fourth District title.
Redmond, which was third at the state tournament last year, qualified nine for State, including three champions and three runners up. Junior Mia Pedersen (120), senior Reina Barnes-Rubio (135) and senior MacKenzie Shearon (145) all repeated as District champion. Shearon, who won her fourth, is a returning state champion with 144 career wins.
North Medford sisters Skyler Hall and Sadie Hall, both defending state champions, each won a third consecutive District title, prevailing at 105 and 130, respectively.
South Medford had two champions of its own in sophomores Jamie Baldwin (110) and Mia Nicasio (235).
Taking home the cheese
Tillamook’s boys won their seventh straight District title in 4A Special District 1 by a large margin over second-place Scappoose. The Cheesemakers are sending two champions – sophomore Liam Pyle (106) and senior Koi Smith (175) -- and 17 overall to Memorial Coliseum.
Scappoose had three champions, including returning state champion Maverick Heimbuck, who won at 165. Heimbuck’s District title was his fourth straight.
St. Helens and Seaside matched Scappoose with three champions apiece. Seaside advanced just three to State but all – sophomore Henry Rollins (113), sophomore Brayden Cooley (150) and junior Carlos Silva-Villa (215) – won District titles.
Sweet Home runs to Special District 2 crown
The defending state champion Sweet Home Huskies dominated Special District 2 to capture their 11th District title in a row. Sweet Home won all five lower weights and took home eight titles in all, including a win for returning state champion Jesse Landtroop. The Huskies will send 18 on to State but 2024 175-pound state champion Ashton Swanson will not be among them. The senior was disqualified in the 190-pound semifinals.
Other Sweet Home victors included Keegan Jefferson (106), Riley Vaughan (113), Tytus Hardee (126), Dillan Davis (132), Kyle Zajic (157), Jacob Landtroop (165) and Luke Rosa (175). All but Jacob Landtroop are underclassmen.
Cascade had three District champions – Hans Kamm (144), Matthew Hinkle (215) and Nicholas Lopez (285). All three were top three or better finishers at State last year.
Philomath’s two champions included defending 150-pound state champion Riley Barrett of Philomath.
Newport qualified three, including District runner up Silas Moss at 113. Moss is a sophomore who wrestled all season at 120 and is looking “extremely dangerous” at this new weight according to coach Micheal Bradley.
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Pirates plunder Special District 3
Marshfield bested Mazama and Hidden Valley to win its first District title in seven years. Like Sweet Home in Special District 2, the Pirates won the five lower weights and eight in all while advancing 12 to Memorial Coliseum. The champions include senior Reese Hite (132), who won an individual title for the fourth straight year; and junior Trayton Forbes (126), a fourth-place finisher at State last year (120 pounds).
Mazama qualified 13 for State and had one champion, senior Jack Kaefring (190).
North Bend had two champions: sophomore Parker Pruett (138) and junior Jackson Swanson (150).
Levi Hicks of Klamath Union won a third straight District title, taking the 144-pound bracket.
By hook or by Crook County
Crook County absolutely dominated 4A Special District 4. The Cowboys advanced 21 wrestlers into the semifinals, 15 into the finals and will put 20 on the bus to Memorial Coliseum.
When the dust settled, the Cowboys had eight District champions, including victors at 106, 113, 126 and 138 who fought teammates in the championship bouts.
Crook County’s champions included freshmen Tanner Brumble and Alejandro Vargas at 106 and 113, respectively, and returning state champions Landon Levey (138) and Gavin Sandoval (175).
Pendleton finished second with two champions – Vance Nelson (150) and Miles Kennedy (190) – and qualified 14 for State.
Third-place La Grande had the other four champions, including returning state champion Tommy Belding (157) and top four state finishers Dax Dunlap (215) and Kenai Huff (285). The Tigers also got a District title from junior Braegen Anderson at 120 pounds. The state runner up last year at 106 won a 10-8 decision in the final over Crook County senior Duke Wentzel.
Banks deposits District win
Banks outpointed Willamina to win 3A Special District 1. The Braves won six individual titles to capture a District title for the second straight year. Four sophomores and a freshmen were among the winners for Banks along with senior Philemon Mauck (157). The Braves competed without 2024 state champion Owen Turner, a junior who broke his ankle two weeks ago.
Willamina matched Banks with six champions and will send one more to the state tournament. Junior Kisor Savage (138) and senior Devin Huston (150) wrestled exceptionally in winning titles for the Bulldogs.
Yamhill-Carlton junior Tyler Pond won at 175 pounds despite starting unseeded. He edged the top seed, 10-8, in his opening match and won the title with a 7-1 decision over the No. 3 seed.
Champing to repeat
Harrisburg won its fourth District title in a row, taking Special District 2, but all is not well for the 2024 3A state champions. The Eagles suffered a major blow when three-time state champion Luke Cheek failed to make weight at 132 pounds and was disqualified.
Harrisburg did manage to win seven District titles, including returning state champions Andrea Donayri and Brody Buzzard. The Eagles also won the 132-pound division even without Cheek in the fold, thanks to sophomore Jackson Peterman; and had the two Outstanding Wrestlers: Trayson Truesdell (138) for the lower weights and Hunter Langham (285) for the upper weights.
Santiam Christian finished second as a team and had three individual champions, including twin brothers Kamran Ness (157) and Jeremy Ness (165).
Siuslaw / Mapleton also finished with three District champions, senior Leonardo Robertson (150) and juniors Gage Mills (190) and Jacob Mann (215).
Billies don’t be a hero
Pleasant Hill won 3A Special District 3 with five champions, including two freshmen and returning state placer Vedder Anderson, a senior. Anderson’s title was his third.
Glide, Lakeview and Douglas had two champions each.
By George, it’s Burns!
Burns and Nyssa each piled up more than 300 points in Special District 4, but it was the Hilanders who came away with the title and established themselves as the team to beat at the state tournament. Burns had seven champions and will send 15 to State as it seeks its first title in wrestling since 2020. The champions included seniors Kale Cormell (126) and Easton Kemper (190), who each will try to be four time state champions this weekend.
Also vying to be four-time state champs are La Pine District champions Devon Kerr (138) and Landyn Philpott (144).
La Pine’s Riley Flack (120), Burns’ Cannon Kemper (150) and Vale’s Kase Schaffeld (175) also won titles in a District that could produce nine or more of the 3A state champions.
What about Bobcats?
Nestucca topped 2A/1A Special District 1, a district that had seven teams eclipse 100 points, including the defending state champions from Toledo.
Nestucca crowned three individual champions and will send five to the state tournament. The Bobcats’ titleists were Levi Farrens (120), Zak Chatelain (132) and Draven Marsh (144). Chatelain was second at the same weight at state last year. Marsh was third at the same weight.
Clatskanie and Siletz Valley had two champions each, as did Toledo, which put seniors Carson Watson (157) and Kolby Coxen (285) atop the podium. Coxen, who was third at State last year, has now won a District title in all four of his years.
Sophomore Wyatt Smith won a District title for St. Paul at 165 pounds. The Buckaroos only started their wrestling program this year.
Oakridge boys top District 2
It was close, with Illinois Valley and Lowell right there, but Oakridge prevailed over three-time defending District champion Illinois Valley to win Districts for the first time in over 20 years.
Senior Kayden Tiller, a state champion at 157 pounds last year, won at 150, as one of six Warrior individual champions. Three champions from Oakridge, Everett Palanuk (106), Cole Walters (113) and Rowdy Williams (138), are freshmen.
Two other returning state champions, James Conn of Illinois Valley (120) and Harley Hardison of Lowell (126), also won District 2 titles. Both schools finished with three champions each.
Sophomore Tanner Swearingen qualified for State by placing third at 157 pounds for Oakland. Swearingen nearly didn’t get to compete on the mat after breaking his leg playing football in October.
“Tanner's road to recovery was fairly remarkable and took some grit, no two ways about it!” said coach Ian Patt.
Culver takes custardy of SD3
Culver dominated Special District 3 and put itself back in position to be a state tournament force after a down year in 2024. The Bulldogs had six champions – including three timers Cole Rahi (132) and Carlos Fernandez -- and will send a whopping 15 to State, six more than anyone else.
Taylor Parsons, a returning state champion from Grant Union / Prairie City, won Districts at 126, as did undefeated Zachary Brown of Heppner (157), sophomore Landyn Fincher of 1A Elgin (113) and pin mater Landon McMahon of Heppner (215). Crane’s Brady Otley, who finished second in the state at 144 last year, won 150 to repeat as District champion. So, too, did Sam Platz of Union / Cove. He won at 175 after taking second in the state last year at 165.
Undefeateds
In this recurring category, we list wrestlers with 15 or more wins who are currently undefeated on the season.
47-0 -- 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
36-0 --Zachary Brown, Sr., Heppner (2A/1A), 157
31-0 – Sarahi Chavez, Sr., McKay (6A/5A)
30-0 – Dominic Macon, Sr., Nelson (6A), 285
30-0 -- Jack Mulvahill, Fr. Crescent Valley (5A), 106
28-0 -- Eric Larwin, Sr., Bend (5A), 150
26-0 – Paisley Conway, Soph., Newberg (6A/5A), 110
23-0 – Lusiano Lopez, Sr., Lake Oswego (6A), 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 – 38 wins by fall (42-8 overall)
Jackson Doman, Sr., Canby (5A), 215 -- 31 wins by fall (42-0 overall)
Mary Jane Duty, Soph., Lebanon (6A/5A), 115 – 35 wins by fall (37-8 overall)
Lyndie Isaacson, Sr., La Grande (4A/3A/2A/1A), 120 – 34 wins by fall (44-10 overall)
Isaac Jordan, Sr., Lebanon (5A), 285 – 34 wins by fall (42-3 overall)
Landon McMahon, Jr., Heppner (2A), 215 -- 37 wins by fall (48-2 overall)
Layla Morris, Sr., Mountainside (6A/5A), 125 – 39 wins by fall (47-0 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 - 37 wins by fall (47-2 overall record)
Lily Ridgley, Jr., Harrisburg (4A/3A/2A/1A), 130 – 31 wins by fall (38-8 overall)
Landon Risseeuw, Soph., Willamina (3A), 215 – 33 wins by fall (38-13 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, OSAA 2A/1A Special District 3
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, OSAA 4A Special District 1
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, OSAA 2A/1A Special District 3
Layla Morris, Sr., Mountainside (6A/5A), 125 -- Jaguar Girls Invite, North Bend Coast Classic Girls, Mountainside Girls Tournament, Sierra Nevada Classic, Lady Dragon Invite, OSAA 6A/5A Special District 1
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
johnt@osaa.org
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