The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

The Outlaws welcomed the visiting 2019 3A State Champion La Pine High school wrestling team.

“I knew this would be a tough dual for us, but the Hawks are a great team with great wrestlers,” said Coach John Downs. “They are a great example of positiveness, and their Coach Aaron Flack is a humble guy.”

The tournament started at the 220-pound weight class. Freshman Henry Rard had a difficult time with La Pine’s senior and last year’s state-qualifier Daniel Underwood. The experience of Underwood was just too much and Rard lost by pin.

The outcome for the 285-pound weight class was a difficult one for the Outlaws, with senior Damien King losing in the last 15 seconds of the third round by pin to Teagen DeForest. “Damien just didn’t seem focused and mentally prepared,” Downs said. “This was a good wake-up call for Damien facing a possible opportunity to earn a trip to the state championships. He realizes that he needs to start working even harder these next few weeks.”

The Outlaws gave up forfeits at the 106, 113, 120 and 125 weight classes giving La?Pine 24 team points.

At the 132-pound weight class, sophomore Wyatt Maffey competed in the toughest match of the night. Maffey wrestled against La Pine’s Dylan Mann and the match went three rounds, with Mann winning the match 10-2.

“The La Pine wrestler seemed frustrated that Wyatt was able to compete with him for all three rounds,” Downs observed. “I am very proud of Wyatt’s effort!”

The Sisters wrestling team earned their first team points with junior Chaz Patterson earning a forfeit from La Pine and then at the 145-pound weight class the Outlaws earned even more team points with senior Anthony Randolph having an outstanding match against La Pine’s Jose Orozco.

“Orozco took second at the 3A State Championships last season in the 120-pound weight class, and this was not going to be an easy match but Anthony has been working very hard in practice and it paid off with Anthony pinning the state placer in 1:56,” Downs said. “Such a great final home match for the senior.”

At 152 pounds, senior Dillon King also had a great match. This match went all three rounds, but at the end his opponent, Garrett Forges, was able to pull out the win with an 11-4 decision. Outlaws sophomore Jared Miller also struggled in his match versus Dominick Evans of La Pine, losing by pin. The Outlaws gave up two more forfeits to the Hawks at the 170 and 182 weight class.

The final varsity match of the night was at the 195-pound weight class. Senior Ethan Martin had a great final home match versus Kadin Yeager of La Pine. Martin was able to pin Yeager in 1:12, adding another win to his impressive record.

Tyler “Daisy” Patterson wanted a match, but the only girl they had near her weight was the La Pine’s coach’s daughter, Olivia Flack. Flack is always a tough opponent and has lots of experience.

“Daisy was hesitant to wrestle Flack, but did very well,” Downs said. “Daisy was very close to having Flack on her back in the second round but Flack was able to roll through and earn an escape. In the end Flack won with a pin over Daisy, but Daisy seems to realize that every minute on the mat makes her a better wrestler.”

The girls regional tournament is next weekend.

The JV matches of the night included sophomore Jacob Washington at 285 pounds wrestling La Pine’s varsity big man Teagen DeForest. Washington was able to earn a few points but ended losing to DeForest in the last three seconds in the first round by pin. The second match was 138-pounder Landon Nothiger versus Adrian Boysha.

“Landon has been working hard in practice, and it showed with earning a fall over Boysha in the second round,” Downs said.

The Outlaw wrestlers also celebrated their four seniors during the dual.

“It was a great Senior Night for us,” Downs said.

“All four of these seniors have wrestled for me for all four years in their high school career! I am very proud of each of them and what they and their families have sacrificed to the program.

If only more families understood the commitment it takes — and, also, if only the students realized the wonderful benefits that come from committing to a team or group for four years and giving all your effort to not just your teammates but also to improving yourself physically and mentally, I believe more parents would encourage their children to participate and the children would have more of a desire to be part of a team, as we as a wrestling team see it as a family.

This year’s seniors were very close, and they have done a wonderful job leading this small but hard-working team.”