Sky Chappell
The Sweet Home Huskies found yet another win in the Oregon Wrestling Classic that took place Jan. 12-14 at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds in Redmond. The boys team finished in first place, whilst the girls took fourth.
The Oregon Classic is the state’s largest folkstyle wrestling tournament, attracting many of the top teams from around the state, from all divisions. Sweet Home won the 4A boys division, which included defending state champion La Grande, along with perennial top teams Crook County, Scappoose and Tillamook.
“I am very proud of our kids and how they adjusted for this tournament,” Coach Steve Thorpe said. “Due to weather, the pools needed to be adjusted and who we were going to compete against but it didn’t phase our kids.”
The girls team finished second in their pool. They wrestled hard to see Redmond, and beat Redmond in their first stool, which advanced them into the top four. The girls tournament competition included teams from all divisions.
Along with leadership, senior wrestlers Kaylene Zajic, Lydia Wright and Riley Watkins were all recognized by Thorpe for having “great performances”.
The SHHS boys started off day one in first place, winning against Baker, Ontario, Pendleton, Cascade and Tillamook.
Their biggest accomplishment, according to Thorpe, however, was beating the returning classic state champs from last year, La Grande. “Then to knock off Crook County, who is one of the top teams in the state for the finals, was a great [end] to a great weekend.”
The Oregon Classic is considered the dual meet state championship. “We had efforts even in losses, [which] is the reason we were able to earn this title.”
Stand out performances for consistency with the boys included senior wrestler Kyle Sieminski, junior wrestlers Ashton Swanson and Colton Bennett, and sophomore wrestler Luke Rosa. When asked, Thorpe mentioned, “I would say that this is an incredibly unselfish group of wrestlers.”
Even though the boys brought home first place, Thorpe noted, “We are not satisfied and we are not done. We go right back to work, trying to make ourselves better.”
SHHS wrestlers will be back Wednesday Jan. 17 in their three-way dual starting at 5 p.m.
Girls Results
Sweet Home 60 vs. Bend 18
Dallas 45 vs. Sweet Home 30
La Grande 63 vs. Sweet Home 15
Sweet Home 60 vs. Rainier 12
Sweet Home 60 vs. Sutherlin 24
Sweet Home 42 vs. Redmond 39
Thurston 54 vs. Sweet Home 30
Boys Results
Sweet Home 63 vs. Baker 7
Sweet Home 69 vs. Cascade 11
Sweet Home 72 vs. Ontario 9
Sweet Home 63 vs. Pendleton 6
Sweet Home 40 vs. Estacada 12
Sweet Home 45 vs. La Grande 22
Sweet Home 61 vs. Tillamook 12