Outlaw girls break out at Culver wrestling tourney

It's a new era for girls wrestling at Sisters High School. 

Following their most recent competition at Culver December 13 and 14, Coach Dave Kemp announced, "The future of girls wrestling in Sisters has arrived!"

Photo provided

Coach Dave Kemp and the girls wrestling team.

In what Kemp called "a groundbreaking display of strength, determination, and teamwork," the Sisters girls wrestling team made history at a recent tournament, solidifying their position as a force to be reckoned with in the sport. The Sisters squad took an impressive third place among 22 teams, a high water mark of success for the program.

Senior Kisten Elbek had another standout performance, winning her second consecutive tournament championship and starting her year with a perfect 7-0 record, including an impressive seven pins, according to Kemp. 

Elbek met Emillia Cavan-Harris of Heppner-Ione in the final match, who she pinned after 2:16. 

Joining Elbek as a champion was junior Sierra Jaschke, who dominated her division with four first-round pins, earning her first tournament championship. In the championship round, Jaschke took down Hannah Monroy of Madras in just 56 seconds. 

In addition to the champions, several other Sisters wrestlers delivered notable performances, according to Kemp.

Brooklynn Cooper, despite being out all week due to illness, showed remarkable resilience and took third place in her division. Senior Tallis Grummer, balancing her commitments as a state-level ski racer and first-year wrestler, achieved a remarkable third-place finish. 

"Her path to the podium was particularly impressive, as she avenged a first-round loss by pinning her opponent in the third-place match after a thrilling three rounds of intense wrestling," said Kemp. 

Freshman Tanner Gibney also made a strong impression, securing two first-round pins and earning a fifth-place finish, her highest placement in a tournament to date. Goose Henderson rounded out the team's top performances with a fourth-place finish.

The tournament, which drew 96 girls from across the region, served as a testament to the increasing popularity and competitiveness of girls wrestling. 

Kemp said, "Sisters' remarkable showing in this field of talented athletes is a clear indication that the program is on the rise."

Rainier won the team title with 129 points, followed by 5A Caldera (112), and Sisters (103). 

The boys team had a tougher go of it as eight of 15 team members missed action due to illness and injury. However, Jozua Miller, the team's heavyweight, stood out with his impressive speed and strength, taking sixth place.

Brennan Frutos won four matches at 157 pounds and came within one win of placing. Freshman Zack Kemp and junior Carter Van Meter both went 2-2 in the tournament in a really tough 132-pound bracket.

"Zack pulled off a late come-from-behind win against a senior from Joseph when he pinned him in the last few seconds of the third round," said Coach Kemp. 

Sisters scored a total of 29.5 points to finish 19th among 22 teams. Crook County, a perennial power from the 4A ranks, won the tournament with 201 points. 

"We are excited to get all the boys healthy again before our tournament this weekend," said Coach Kemp.