Oregon 2A/1A wrestling: Champions, takeaways from district meets
By René Ferrán| Photo by Michele Bunch
The 2A/1A wrestling district meets took place over the weekend, with the OSAA state championships scheduled for Feb. 26 at Culver High School. Here’s a look at the champions and takeaways from each of the four district meets. The top two finishers at each district meet qualify for state. The final three spots will be filled based on criteria among the four third-place district finishers.
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Special District 1 (at Neah-Kah-Nie)
Team champion: Toledo (203 points)
Individual champions
106 Frankie Giron, So., Gervais
113 Adam Reyes, Jr., Kennedy
120 Brandon DePue, Sr., Vernonia
126 Trevor Wolf, So., Vernonia
132 Logan Gerding, So., Toledo
138 Christian Retherford, So., Toledo
145 Sterling Buckley, So., Toledo
152 Roger Moore, Jr., Colton
160 Lucas Bischoff, Jr., Regis
170 Thomas Bischoff, So., Regis
182 Nolan Earls, Jr., Colton
195 Ash Blomstrom, So., Toledo
220 Kolby Coxen, Fr., Toledo
285 Isaiah Naeve, So., Vernonia
Summary
Toledo won its second consecutive district title on the strength of a district-best five champions, giving the Boomers the seven-point edge over 2020 titlist Vernonia. Each advanced a guaranteed five wrestlers to this weekend’s state meet, and each has two potential wild cards for third-place finishes. Bischoff, who won the 160 district title for Kennedy in June, transferred to Regis over the summer and won a second title by pinning last year’s 152 champion, Dylan Bonfield of Colton. Giron, DePue, Gerding, Blomstrom and Earls also repeated as district titlists, with DePue looking to add the 120 state title to the 113 crown he won in June.
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Special District 2 (at Lowell)
Team champion: Oakland (169 points)
Individual champions
106 Harley Hardison, Fr., Lowell
113 Hunter Mersch, Jr., Jefferson
120 Hagen Johnson, Sr., Central Linn
126 Tyler Garner, Fr., Oakland
132 Aaron Solomon, Sr., Reedsport
138 Adam Solomon, Sr., Reedsport
145 Braxtom Dill, Sr., Glide
152 Ryan Davis, So., Jefferson
160 Cole Goracke, Sr., Central Linn
170 Kaleb Oliver, Sr., Oakland
182 Jacob Beauchamp, Jr., Central Linn
195 Jaden Rondeau, Sr., Glide
220 Brock Barron-Perreira, So., Glide
285 Hunter Shamir, Jr., Oakland
Summary
Oakland ended Central Linn’s two-year title run, dethroning the Cobras by 22 points to win the Oakers’ first district title in over a decade. Oliver remained undefeated since transferring from Colorado to Oakland the summer after his freshman year, improving to 86-0 in an Oakers singlet with a second-round pin of Lowell freshman Paul Clark in the 170 final. Central Linn advanced a district-best six automatic qualifiers to state, but Lowell (four qualifiers, four potential wild cards) and Oakland (four qualifiers, two wild cards) could add to their contingents. The Solomon twins both won titles for Reedsport, with Aaron looking to win a third state title this weekend.
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Special District 3 (at Myrtle Point)
Team champion: Illinois Valley (292.5 points)
Individual champions
106 Michael Miller, So., Illinois Valley
113 Micah Martinho, Fr., Illinois Valley
120 Bailey Thompson, Jr., Myrtle Point
126 Joel Rodriguez, Fr., Bonanza
132 Caden Landmark, Fr., Coquille
138 Skyler Wylie, Sr., Illinois Valley
145 Ryan Griffin, So., Illinois Valley
152 Wyatt Patzke, Sr., Lakeview
160 Jozia Williams, So., Illinois Valley
170 Adrian Stubbs, So., Lakeview
182 Morgan Ludwig, Sr., Lakeview
195 Logan Clayburn, So., Myrtle Point
220 Tommy Vigue, So., Coquille
285 Tom Riley, Jr., Coquille
Summary
Illinois Valley nearly doubled runner-up Lakeview’s point total in moving up from sixth place in June to win its first district title in recent history. The Cougars experienced a youth movement, with four of their five district champions either freshmen or sophomores, including reigning 106 state champion Miller. Of their nine automatic state qualifiers (with two potential wild cards), seven will return next winter. No other program will send more than four automatic qualifiers to Culver. Ludwig earned his chance to defend his 182 state title with a second-round pin of Bonanza’s Thomas Henderson in the district final.
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Special District 4 (at Adrian)
Team champion: Culver (359 points)
Individual champions
106 Hunter Buck, Fr., Pine Eagle
113 Debren Sanabria, Jr., Culver
120 Noel Navarro, Sr., Culver
126 Garret Burns, Sr., Imbler
132 Coy Butner, Sr., Pine Eagle
138 Chase Butner, Sr., Pine Eagle
145 Kelin Abbas, Jr., Culver
152 Justin Hodge, Sr., Grant Union/Prairie City
160 Isaiah Toomey, Sr., Culver
170 Jake Doman, Jr., Crane
182 David Creech, Jr., Union/Cove
195 Cade Cunningham, Jr., Heppner/Ione
220 Toby Clow, Sr., Adrian
285 Wylie Johnson, Jr., Culver
Summary
Culver set itself nicely to defend the state title it recaptured in June and win a 14th championship in 16 seasons on its home mats. The Bulldogs advanced 11 wrestlers directly into the field and have five potential wild cards waiting in the wings. Pine Eagle, second at the state meet in June, has only three automatic qualifiers (and one potential wild card), including Chase Butner, who won the 126 state title in June. Burns, the reigning 120 state champion, moved up to 126 and advanced to state with a 54-second pin of Crane senior John Otley in the district final. Clow is Adrian’s first district champion since 2019.
