Ten Sweet Home Mat Club wrestlers attended the Oregon Kids Collegiate Championships last weekend in Coos Bay, bringing an end to the regular season for Mat Club.
Six wrestlers placed, including a state championship in the 77-pound schoolboy division for Colton Schilling and a state runner-up finish at 136 pounds in the schoolboy division for Nate Melcher.
Colton Holly and Tyler Schilling finished fifth, and Trevor Olson and Ian Search wound up in sixth place.
“Nate Melcher had the tournament of his young career,” said Coach Steve Schilling.
“Every match he wrestled outstanding, winning one in the final 15 seconds after being down by two points. This put him into the finals match for the championship.
“Although he lost the finals, his presence was that of a champion. We were so proud of all the kids.
“Everyone wrestled outstanding even if they didn’t place.”
The Mat Club also placed four kids at the Oregon Wrestling Classic last month in Redmond.
Losing only one match to a nationally ranked Idaho boy, Colton Schilling took second in his bracket.
Three others were able to battle their way to fourth place: Tyler Schilling, Wade Paulus and Austin Bruijn.