Pendleton proved why they are ranked number one in the state’s 4A mat polls Friday, handing perenially tough Newberg a loss on their own mats.
Following the two leaders in order of placings were Wilsonville, Crook County, Century, Thurston, St. Helens and Sweet Home.
Husky Coach Steve Thorpe knew it would be an uphill battle entering the 4A dominated tournament, since 15 of his grapplers were still competing in the state football playoffs on Saturday at Hillsboro.
“We went in forfeiting one weight class and we knew this was going to be an individual-type tournament for us,” Coach Thorpe said. “It’s tough in a tournament of this caliber. But, we saw a lot of good things and we saw places we need to work on.”
Coach Thorpe said the Husky JV/Novice grapplers also worked off their opening match jitters and will be ready for another strong week of wrestling, heading to Banks on Wednesday.
“Estacada is ranked No. 2 and Banks No. 5 and we’ll see both of them Wednesday,” Coach Thorpe said.
Coach Thorpe said he was pleased with Travis Walks, a junior, who came from behind to pin his opponent from Century.
“Joe McCaslin, a freshman at 112 pounds, competed very hard,” Coach Thorpe said. “He earned his first high school win.”
Robert Helfrich, 152, “wrestled with a lot of heart.”
Friday the Huskies return home to host their own tournament with Lebanon, Silverton and Douglas. Matches start at 4 p.m.
“We’re anxious to get our whole team back together and get the season rolling,” Coach Thorpe said. “We’re going to continue focusing daily improvements.”
Saturday the Sweet Home Mat Club will host its annual tournament. Wrestling starts at 10 a.m.
Newberg Tournament
Pendleton 66
Sweet Home 3
103: Somatis lost by tech fall 15-0 to Cazwell; 112: McCaslin lost by tech fall 20-3 to Stewart; 119: Sutten lost by tech fall 17-0 to Kilkenny; 125: Walker was pinned in 1:07 by Guthmiller; 130: Farris was pinned in 3:23 by K. Carter; 135: Vandehei was dec. 9-1 by Cox; 140: Knight was pinned in 2:26 by J. Carter; 145: T. Helfrich was dec. 2-0 by Prie; 152: R. Helfrich was dec. 11-3 by Anderson; 160: Cooley dec. Nirschle 2-0; 171: Kidd was dec. 16-4 by Palmer; 189: Forfeit to J. Williams; 215: Castaneda was pinned in 1:02 by Wunder; 275: Greene was pinned in 0:36 by Anderson.
Century 48
Sweet Home 21
103: Somatis was dec. 7-0 by Panyasero; 112: McCaslin pinned Cachucia in 2:28; 119: Sutten dec. Pereda 4-0; 125: Walker pinned Graham in 2:26; 130: Farris was pinned by Bensious in 0:48; 135: Vandehei was pinned by Solaces in 3:08; 140: Knight pinned Fross in 5:35; 145: T. Helfrich was dec. 8-4 by Rangel; 152: R. Helfrich was dec. 8-6 by Quinton; 160: Cooley was pinned in 0:43 by French; 171: Woody was pinned by Lemmon in 0:26; 189: Kidd was pinned by Foley in 5:06; 215: Castaneda was pinned by Lombardi in 3:23; 275: Greene was dec. by Peterson 4-0.
St. Helens 48
Sweet Home 15
103: Somatis won by forfeit; 112: McCaslin was dec. 13-3 by Stewart; 119: Sutten was dec. 10-4 by Yabut; 125: Walker was pinned by Peterson in 0:39; 130: Farris dec. Weaver 5-4; 135: Vandehei pinned Tice in 1:26; 140: Knight was dec. 15-5 by Helderman; 145: T. Helfrich was dec. 8-6 by Sorber; 152: R. Helfrich was dec. 14-8 by Taylor; 160: Cooley was pinned by Lammens in 3:50; 171: Kidd lost by tech fall 15-0 to Meeuwsa; 189: Woody was dec. 7-2 by Frelich; 215: Castenada lost by tech fall 18-2 to Hulls; 275: Green was pinned in 1:37 by DeWitt.