By Ryker Burr
For The New Era
Sweet Home’s wrestlers continue their quest for Head Coach Steve Thorpe’s eighth state title and after a fourth-place finish at Reser’s Tournament of Champions Saturday, Jan. 24, following their win at the Oregon Classic the previous week, they’re definitely in the running.
Freshman Cody Sieminski led the Huskies at Sherwood High School, taking home the 106-pound bracket victory in a tournament that is the de facto all-division state championship.
“His work ethic is what makes him special,” Thorpe stated. “His mental toughness matches his physical toughness. You’re not born with the ability to wrestle. He has been in the program since he was 4 years old. He doesn’t let the moment be bigger than what it is.”
Sieminski started off with a fall over Redmond’s Tate Lawrence, then dominated his way through the rest of the bracket. Sieminski won the quarter- and semifinals with technical falls, then shut out Thurston’s Samuel Greenstreet 10-0 in the championship match.
Greenstreet’s runner-up points assisted the Colts’ victory with a total of 256.5 points. Newberg took second with 179.5; Crater in third with 178; then Sweet Home with 168.
Sweet Home, with seven placers, was the top 4A finisher at the tournament, which featured the top wrestling teams in the state, most of them in the 5A-6A division. La Grande was second among 4A teams, placing eighth overall with 107 points.
Juniors Jesse Landtroop (126) and Kyle Zajic (165), and senior Luke Rosa (175) took home third place honors for Sweet Home.
Junior Riley Vaughan (120) placed fifth; seniors Tytus Hardee (132) and Jeremiah Steagall (190) finished sixth.
In the junior varsity tournament, Dylan Hartsook finished first for the Huskies, pinning his way through the 215-pound bracket. Conner Spencer was second at 126 and Liam Martin was third at 285.
The Green and Gold were without senior Dillan Davis, the defending 132-pound state champion. Thorpe decided to rest Davis, who has been “unselfishly wrestling up (weight classes) and sick.”
“I need him to get healthy,” Thorpe stated.
The Huskies started off the week by hosting and dominating a dual against Sprague. The boys shut out the Olympians 81-0, and the girls cruised to a 65-12 victory.
“Our kids were offensive and aggressive. We wrestled with intent. Hats off to Sprague for coming here and competing against us,” said Thorpe.
Both Sweet Home teams will travel to Crater for a dual matchup on Saturday, Jan. 31, beginning at 4:15 p.m.
Thorpe is certainly looking forward to the dual versus Crater.
“When you’ve got one of the best 5A teams versus the top 4A team, it’s good for the sport. It gives us somebody we’re not going to beat by 70.”
Senior Night for the Huskies will be Feb. 4, when Sweet Home host Tillamook. Wrestling will begin at 5 p.m.
Photos courtesy of Tiffany Sieminski
Warriors Shine
Lebanon’s boys wrestling team placed 17th out of 24 teams at the Reser’s Tournament of Champions.
The Warriors managed 65.5 points on the day, but it wasn’t enough to keep up with Thurston (256.5), Newberg (179.5), and Crater (178).
Seth Wynn led Lebanon with a runner-up performance in the 157-pound bracket. Grady Cox (165) placed fourth and Zach Halsey (175) finished fifth.
Lebanon’s girls headed to the Colton Holly Invitational in Wilsonville, where the Warriors took eighth out of 17 total teams.
Mary Jane Duty and Penelope Haselip were the top finishers for the Warriors. Both Duty and Haselip pinned their way through the respective 110 and 120 pound brackets.
Kentely Mortenson (145) defeated Gresham’s Ana Paulina Pedro Francisco for third place, while teammate Zoee Ruonaveara placed fifth in the 235-pound bracket.
On Wednesday, Jan. 28, both Lebanon wrestling teams will host fellow 5A competitor Silverton for a dual.
Boys will begin wrestling at 5:30 p.m., and the girls will begin an hour later.
Photos courtesy of Tiffany Sieminski
