Sky Chappell
Sweet Home wrestlers were yet again victorious, securing first place over 50 teams, following the OSAA Girls 4A/3A/2A/1A Special District 2 Wrestling Championship held Feb. 16-17 at Cottage Grove High School.
In addition to the team scoring 208 points, the Huskies were able to qualify eight of their 13 girls for the state. Of the teams in attendance, the top five include Sweet Home, 208; Oakridge, 122; Hidden Valley, 112; Harrisburg, 110.5; and Grant Union, 100.
“The girls wrestled really well,” Coach Tomas Rosa said. “It was a tough competition, and a lot of the girls rose to the occasion and beat kids they had previously lost to.”
One of those girls, senior Kaylene Zajic (41-12), secured fourth place. Zajic, a returning regional runner-up last year, was able to beat rival Riley Allison (30-7) of La Pine during the semifinal consolation round, whom Zajic lost to twice previously in the season.
Results are as follows by weight:
105: Amelia Sullens (24-17) placed third and scored 18.0 team points.
110: Alizeah Weikel (36-15) placed fourth and scored 22.0 team points.
115: Trinity Landtroop (20-21) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points.
120: Riley Watkins (40-10) placed first and scored 34.0 team points.
125: Returning state champion Bailey Chafin (32-2) placed first and scored 30.0 team points.
130: Lydia Wright (33-10) placed fifth and scored 17.0 team points.
140: Mahala Gourley-Webster (4-10) place is unknown and scored 4.0 team points.
140: Lily Bishop (35-11) placed fourth and scored 18.0 team points.
145: Madi Looney (20-24) place is unknown and scored 10.0 team points.
145: Kaylene Zajic (41-12) placed fourth and scored 22.0 team points.
170: Courtney Newens (18-22) place is unknown and scored 4.0 team points.
190: Alyssa Peterson (39-9) placed second and scored 22.0 team points.
235: Emmaline Durrett (32-12) place is unknown and scored 7.0 team points.
With eight of these girls qualifying and 18 boys qualifying, SHHS will be attending the state with a total of 26 wrestlers.
“We’re going to bring 26 kids up to the state tournament on Thursday,” Rosa said. “It’s a lot to manage, but I’m really blessed to be around guys and gals that can step up and take care of things.”
This weekend, both the boys’ and girls’ teams will be attending the OSAA 2024 Wrestling State Championship, Feb. 22-24, located at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 1401 N. Wheeler Ave., in Portland. For more information, visit osaa.org/activities/bwr.