Wrestlers compete at Mid-Valley Classic

The Outlaws wrestling team took part in the Tod Surmon/Mid-Valley Classic, featuring 15 teams, January 28-29 at South Albany High School.

“We faced some great competition,” said Coach Gary Thorson. “We went up against mostly 5A and 6A teams in this tourney, but came in a little banged up and recovering from recent sickness. We were a little flat.”

After winning his first round by pin, Wyatt Maffey lost a nailbiter 9-8 in the semifinals to Daniel Jaramillo of Ridgeview. He bounced back to place third overall with a 7-3 decision over Daniel Hanlon of Mountainside. Maffey leads the Outlaws’ team with a 29-9 overall record.

Henry Rard made it to the championship match at 220 pounds before falling to Joseph Martin of Ridgeview. Rard’s season record stands at 16-14.

“Henry had his best weekend of wrestling ever,” said Thorson.

Carter Van Meter notched a fourth-place finish at 113 pounds, raising his season record to 20-13. He pinned his man in the quarterfinals, but lost 10-2 in the semis and got pinned in the third-place match in a battle at the 5:13 mark.

Jacob Washington (10-15) placed fifth in the 195-pound class after coming back from a first-round loss to win in the semis over Landon Overbay of Ridgeview.

Hayden Kunz received a first-round bye, lost by fall to Caleb Hawkes of Sandy in the quarterfinals, and got knocked out of contention in the semifinals at 138 pounds, with a loss to league rival Gradin Fairbanks of Philomath in an 8-4 decision.

Jared Miller, wrestling in the 160-pound class, lost his first-round match by fall, and, after a bye in the next round, lost a 10-4 decision. His record stands at 13-9 for the season.

In the 170-pound class, Jayden Vogt (7-17) started off with a pin over Aaron Hibdon of Southridge, but got taken down quickly in the next round by undefeated Emmett Henderson of Junction City. He closed out the tourney with a loss to Matthew Trulson of Corvallis.

Sisters, one of four 4A schools in the meet, placed 10th overall with 54 points. Sandy High School won the tournament with 144.5 points to edge Philomath, which finished with 140.

Daisy Patterson, who won both of her matches at the meet (scores not available) will be competing on Saturday, February 5 in Redmond at the Girls’ Regional Championships.

Sisters is scheduled to travel to Cascade High School Thursday, February 3, for a three-way meet that includes Marshfield. The Cascade Cougars will also play host to the 4A State Championships later this month.

Thorson is excited that Sisters will be hosting the District Championships on Saturday, February 12.

“It’s great that our kids get to compete here at home at the state-qualifying meet,” he said. “Our focus now is on getting healthy and healed up and ready for district.”