Wrestling: County grapplers earn slots at state

Published 9:00 am Monday, February 24, 2025

Eight Warrenton wrestlers got a boost from their home fans during Saturday’s 3A Special District 1 district meet to earn a shot at a state championship this week.

Led by district champions Kaison Smith and Kyle Bond, the Warriors saw eight wrestlers finish in the top three to qualify for state. Bond was the champion at 106 pounds, after pinning Hunter Gilbert of Banks midway through the second round, while Smith used his speed to wear down Caleb Orchard of Corbett in the heavyweight division. Smith, who weighs 230 pounds, was wrestling in the 285-pound weight class, but still claimed a 10-2 victory.

Joining them at state will be Rayce Sturgell, who was third place at 106 pounds, Angel Lucas, third at 132, Ryder Sturgell, second at 150, Brayden Greenawald, second at 157, Devon Sturgell, third at 175 and Sean Irwin, third at 190.

Finley Marshall just missed a spot at state as he finished fourth in the 120-pound division and Chance Hutchins finished fifth at 138 pounds.

Warrenton won fourth in the team competition with 203.5 points. Banks won the district championship with 372.5 points. Willamina was second with 328 points and Yamhill-Carlton was third with 221.

Seaside, Astoria boys qualify

Seaside’s Henry Rollins, Brayden Cooley and Carlos Silva-Villa can call themselves 4A District 1 champions.

Rollins edged Braiden Grochowsky of Estacada, 12-11, for the 113-pound title. Cooley won his 150-pound title with a pin of St. Helens’ Tyler Smith in the second round. And Silva-Villa pinned Astoria’s Arthur Duryea in the second round to claim the 215-pound title.

Astoria’s Adrian Balli won the 285-pound weight class by defeating Clayton Petty of Tillamook, 18-9. Balli and Duryea will be joined in Portland by Beau Smith, who finished third at 138 pounds.

Astoria finished sixth out of eight teams with 101 points. Seaside was seventh, with 93.

Knappa lands two at state

Donnie VanGundy was the lone winner for the Knappa boys wrestling team on Saturday.

VanGundy took first place in the 113-pound weight class after defeating Brett James, of Clatskanie, 20-8. The Loggers’ Camden Demase finished in second at 285 pounds and also advanced to the state meet.

The Loggers finished 13th at the 2A/1A Special District 1 meet with 44.5 points.

The state championships for 4A, 3A and 2A/1A boys begin Thursday at Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Portland.