Outlaws wrestle at King of the Hill

The Outlaws wrestling team traveled west Saturday, January 7 for the 19-team “King of the Hill” tournament hosted by the Billies of Pleasant Hill. The event gave the Sisters squad a look at some of the competition from the Willamette Valley after competing mostly against Central and Eastern Oregon teams. Schools large and small took part in the tournament.

Senior Ben Cooper got his first championship of the season after being the runner-up in all the previous tournaments of the season, raising his record to 21-4. After winning the first three rounds by fall, Cooper had to work until the end to eke out an 8-6 decision over Gavin Hoelich of Pleasant Hill.

Fellow senior Hayden Kunz made it to the championship round at 145 pounds before falling to Kayden Tiller of Oakridge in the finals.

After losing his first match, sophomore Carter Van Meter stormed back to win the next four on his way to a fifth-place finish at 126 pounds.

Freshman Tyson Kemp got off to a strong start with three consecutive wins in the 132-pound class before a matchup with Riley Barrett, the reigning 4A state champion from Philomath, who improved his record to 15-0. Kemp ended up in fourth place overall.

For the girls, Kisten Elbek got her first career win with a double-leg takedown and arm pin, according to Head Coach David Kemp. She finished fifth overall. Brooklyn Cooper won one of her three matches, also placing fifth.

“We had a great week of practice and the kids are showing a great improvement in their decision-making and speed on the mat,” said Kemp.