For La Pine’s Landyn Philpott, nothing beats winning a title at the Coliseum: Oregon wrestling 132/120 small-school roundup

By René Ferrán | Photos by Leon Neuschwander 

Landyn Philpott enjoyed winning his first Class 3A wrestling state title last year on his home mats in La Pine. 

But the Hawks sophomore said nothing could compare with the experience of coming to Portland’s Veterans Memorial Coliseum and winning a second title to move halfway to his dream of becoming a four-time champion. 

“Words couldn’t even explain how exciting it is,” Philpott said following his 12-0 major decision over Banks junior Jack Vandehey in Friday night’s 132-pound final. “Winning it in here at the Coliseum is amazing. I’m just going for that four-time now.”

Philpott and classmate Devon Kerr, who followed him on the mat and won a second title in the 138 final, are training partners in the La Pine mat room. Philpott credited Kerr with helping him prepare for the grind of a state tournament. 

“My bracket was a little tougher this year than last year,” Philpott said. “But we’re working hard in the room, me and him, going at it back and forth. I felt like I was in control the whole match. I had a good all-around tournament.”

4A: Sweet Home senior Jacob Sieminski won a second championship by pinning Crook County senior Cash Wells with four seconds left in the first round. 

Sieminski, who won the Reser’s Tournament of Champions title earlier in the month, is the son of Clint Sieminski, Sweet Home’s first three-time champion (1997-99), and the older brother of Kyle Sieminski, who earlier in the day also won a third title.

2A/1A: Unseeded Toledo junior Logan Gerding knocked off the Nos. 3, 2 and 4 seeds en route to the title, beating Culver senior Derek Torres 5-2 in the final. Gerding rode Torres out in the second period, then escaped with 54 seconds left in the third to break a 2-2 tie. A takedown with 23 seconds left sealed his win over Torres, who knocked off top seed Trevor Wolf of Vernonia in the semifinals. 

4A/3A/2A/1A Girls: Top-seeded junior MaKenna Duran of Crook County survived sudden-victory overtime in the semifinals and defeated Lowell junior Kalli Kirkhart 4-1 in the title match. 

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Meet the champions: Class 6A | Class 5A | Class 4A | Class 3A | Class 2A/1A | Class 6A/5A Girls | Class 4A/3A/2A/1A Girls

Vote for best wrestler: Class 6A | Class 5A | Class 4A | Class 3A | Class 2A/1A | Class 6A/5A Girls | Class 4A/3A/2A/1A Girls

Photos of championship matches: Class 6A, 5A | Class 6A/5A Girls | Class 4A, 3A, 2A/1A, 4A/3A/2A/1A Girls

Wrestlers to watch at state: Freshmen | Sophomores | Juniors | Seniors

Previewing the state meets: 6A | 5A | 4A | 3A | 2A/1A | 6A/5A Girls | 4A/3A/2A/1A Girls

Recapping the district meets: 6A | 5A | 4A | 3A | 2A/1A | Girls

COMPLETE COVERAGE OF 2023 OSAA WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS