Reser’s rematch goes Gage Singleton’s way again as Roseburg junior repeats as champion (113 pounds)
By René Ferrán | Photos by Leon Neuschwander
The only rematch of a Reser’s Tournament of Champions final Saturday evening came at 113 pounds, with juniors Gage Singleton of Roseburg and Kyle Sieminski of Sweet Home squaring off.
Last year, Singleton disposed of Sieminski with a second-round pin, but Saturday’s match at Liberty High School in Hillsboro was worth the price of admission alone. The two wrestled at a frenetic pace, with quick takedowns and equally quick reversals revving the crowd to a roar.
Finally, after Sieminski tied the score with a takedown with 20 seconds left, Singleton countered by immediately reversing positions for the final margin in a 10-8 victory and a second consecutive Reser’s title.
“We wrestle each other a lot, so they’re always good matches,” Singleton said.
Singleton said he felt a little sluggish because he began his warmups “a little too soon since they started at 138,” but after giving up an early takedown in the first period, he got the reversal and settled into the match.
His victory capped a run that saw him defeat a couple of 2022 state champions — he earned a technical fall over Harrisburg’s Luke Cheek (3A 106) in the semifinals before facing Sieminski, who won the 4A 106 title — en route to being named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Wrestler.
In doing so, he followed in the footsteps of older brother Nash, who won the award last year before winning a third state title and heading to Oregon State.
“It means a lot since my brother won last year,” Gage said. “It definitely feels good to win this title, and hopefully I’ll come back next year and do the same thing.”
More stories, photos from Reser's Tournament of Champions 2023
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