By Ryker Burr
For The New Era
Sweet Home wrestling managed quite the remarkable victory at the 4A Special District 2 Regional Tournament.
The Huskies (507) won by over 180 points. Cascade (325½) was second and Cottage Grove (195) was third.
“I don’t think I’ve ever scored over 500 points before,” a very happy Steve Thorpe said after Sweet Home wrapped up the regional tournament.
Twenty Huskies punched their tickets to the 4A state championships Feb. 26-27 at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Portland: Cody Sieminski (first at 106), Keegan Jefferson (first at 113), Riley Vaughan (first at 120), Jesse Landtroop (first at 126), Luke Rosa (first at 175), Lynkin Royer (first at 285), Conner Spencer (second at 126), Tytus Hardee (second at 132), Dillan Davis (second at 144), James Hearick (second at 150), Kyle Zajic (second at 165), Jeremiah Steagall (second at 190), Elijah Cruz (second at 215), Cael Stevenson (third at 132), Gavin Baker (third at 157), Martin Chelstad (third at 165), Zeek Gosnell (third at 175), Michael Eggers (third at 190), Liam Martin (third at 285) and Jasper Victor (fourth at 144).
Other 4A leaders and their number of state qualifiers are as follows: Pendleton (18), La Grande (16), Cascade (16) and Tillamook (15).
What stood out to Thorpe most was how many otherwise-JV wrestlers earned a state bid. Spencer, Stevenson, Victor, Baker, Chelstad, Gosnell, Eggers and Martin all aren’t atop their respective weight classes for Sweet Home but proved they deserve to compete in Portland.
Spencer was just one of those. The junior pinned his way to his first state berth (he forfeited the final to Landtroop).
Spencer reflected on his wrestling journey which started his freshman year: “I have improved a significant percent. I didn’t even get to go to districts my freshman season.”
Spencer also had something to say about the Huskies’ depth: “We really showed off what we’ve been doing in the wrestling room. We practice hard. These second guys get to practice with really good guys, state placers. Now they get to go to state too.”
Earlier this season, Spencer popped a fluid sac in his right knee that led him to only wrestle 11 matches going into districts (his record was 9-2). He didn’t let that stop him from checking this goal off his list.
Sweet Home had a finalist in 12 of the 14 weight classes. The next closest in that category was Cascade with five, although the Cougars claimed three district titles in the middle weights.
Luke Rosa was one of Sweet Home’s six winners, collecting his third regional title. (Rosa and Royer were the only two senior winners for the Green and Gold.) The senior – who has finished in the top 3 at state for back-to-back years – pinned another two-time state placer (Griffin Copple from Cascade) to take home the crown.
Rosa attributed the Huskies’ dominance at districts to the quality of their roster: “We wrestle for each other. The dedication this program has had this year has been astonishing.”
Rosa also laid out the expectations for state weekend: “The goal is to win – for the team and myself.”
Perhaps the most exciting match of the day was when freshman Cody Sieminski won 8-3 over Jack Mulvahill of Cascade.
“We’ve been wanting that match for a long time,” said Thorpe. “I think they’re going to meet again in the state final.”
Royer also won by 8-3 decision in the final. Juniors Jefferson and Vaughan won their respective finals by fall in under 1:15. Landtroop won by forfeit, as aforementioned.
Thorpe has been very pleased with Royer this season.
“He’s so consistent. He’s really embraced the go-to-guy role.”
“It’s great to have good big guys,” Thorpe stated with a smile of his two heavyweights: Royer and Martin.
Thorpe once assembled a team with 23 state qualifiers, but he pointed out why this club is different.
“When I sent 23, only 6 to 7 of them scored me points. With this group, I think every single one of them can score points.”
The girls team will contest Regionals this weekend on Friday and Saturday in Cottage Grove. Wrestling will begin at 1 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. on Saturday.
State will take place at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Portland Feb. 27- March 1.
“I’m proud of all the kids, even the ones that didn’t place,” said Thorpe.
“It was us versus the rest of Special District 2. We knew this was just part of the process.” More information, including the soon-to-be revealed brackets, can be found on OSAA’s website.
