Sweet Home grapplers ended an undefeated league season Thursday, easily downing the Molalla Indians 53-15.
Friday the Huskies return to Molalla as they shoot for a district mat title and the chance to send a large contingent to the state tournament.
“We’re going to win district,” Coach Steve Thorpe said confidently. “That’s been our goal all season long. Our guys are healthy and we want to win. We’ve got guys who are doing a lot of things right.”
Although the Huskies suffered a couple unexpected losses Thursday, they also enjoyed some special wins as well.
Jordan Johnson at 125 pounds scored a 7-3 decision over the state’s sixth ranked Micheal Lantz.
“Jordan is just doing a lot of things right,” Coach Thorpe said. “He’s got some great workout partners and they keep him tough.”
Johnson, who spent much of the early part of the season wrestling second varsity, goes into the district tournament as the number one seed at 125 pounds.
Another senior, Adam Knight, who missed much of the season due to an injury, scored a pin in 3:53 over Scott Pulhman at 160 pounds.
“Adam had beaten Puhlman at the Classic by just one point. He pinned him this time,” Coach Thorpe said.
112 pounder Chris Harnden scored a major decision over Kyle McGann, 14-4 and drew praise from his coach.
215 pounder Daniel Brewer pulled out a strong win over Denny Kirk, winning by pin in 2:38.
“We end up the season losing only 11 matches in conference,” Coach Thorpe said. “We’re focused on the district tournament now.”
The Huskies will second 28 grapplers to Molalla. The top three in each weight class will earn a trip to the state tournament in Portland the following week.
Husky district seeding will be: 103: Workman, first; 112: Harnden, second; Swanson, fourth; 119: N. Workman, third; 125: Johnson, first; 130: Zurcher, third; Emmert, fourth; 135: Stokes, second; Temple, fourth; 140: Carr, third; Dearborn, fourth; 145: Phillips, fourth; 152: Lummus, third; 160: Knight, second; 171: Helfrich, first; 189: Vassar, first; 215: Brewer, first; 275: Cooley, fourth.
Sweet Home 53
Molalla 15
103: C. Workman received forfeit; 112: Harnden dec. McGann, 14-4; 119: N. Workman was dec. 8-2 by Daily; 125: Johnson dec. Lantz 7-3; 130: Emmert pinned Peters in :36; 135: Temple dec. Meredith 6-3; 140: Phillips dec. Hayner 14-8; 145: Dearborn was pinned by Roberts in 4:29; 152: Lummus was pinned by Roberts in 1:01; 160: Knight pinned Puhlman in 3:53; 171: Helfrich dec. Walkup 13-5; 189: Vassar pinned McDonald in 1:25; 215: Brewer pinned Kirk in 2:38; 275: Martin pinned Nuffer in 4:30.
District tournament info: Friday, 12-5 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Consolation round and championship finals, 6-10 p.m.
Molalla High School.