DJ Gillett of Crescent Valley moves one step from 4-time champion status: Oregon (OSAA) wrestling 132-pounds roundup

By René Ferrán

Three down, one to go. 

That was Crescent Valley junior DJ Gillett’s attitude following his dominant run through the 132-pound bracket to win a third consecutive state title at Saturday’s Class 5A state wrestling meet at Ridgeview High School in Redmond.

Gillett knew the Raiders needed every bonus point they could get in their bid for a fourth consecutive team title, and he did his part by pinning all four of his opponents — finishing it off with a third-round fall over Eagle Point senior Dylan Dahling, ending the No. 7 seed’s run through an upset-filled bottom half of the draw.

Gillett led 6-0 after one period and 11-0 after two. If he hadn’t recorded the pin, he already had the title wrapped up by technical fall before ending the match with 1:05 remaining. 

“Being a four-timer has been the goal forever, and as I’m getting closer to it, I’m feeling the pressure a little bit more,” Gillett said. “But right now, I’m just enjoying the process.” 

4A: Gillett hopes to follow in Stayton senior Mauro Michel’s footsteps next year. Michel became a four-time state champion and finished his career on a 118-match win streak after pinning Banks senior Dylan Smith 33 seconds into their final.

3A: La Pine freshman Devon Kerr became the fifth member of his family to win a state championship, pinning Harrisburg’s Nephi Heakin in 1:28 to join his father Dave (the school’s first state champion in 1989), brothers David and Derrik (both three-time titlists) and sister Kira, who won her first title earlier in the week at the girls championships.

2A/1A: Pine Eagle senior Coy Butner knocked off two-time champion Aaron Solomon of Reedsport in the final, earning a 7-2 decision to win his first state title. 

6A: Nash Singleton closes Roseburg career with dominant run to third wrestling title