In their final league wrestling dual meet of the season, hosted by Santiam Christian on Feb. 7, the Creswell Bulldogs fell to Scio 12-53, but edged Yamhill-Carlton 29-24.
Against Scio, Logan Johnson, wrestling at 145 pounds, recorded Creswell’s only mat win, earning a 10-8 decision over Lance Vanhoose with a takedown during the match’s first sudden-victory overtime.
”It was a good win for Logan,” said Creswell Head Coach Wayne Roberts.
At 120 pounds, Alex Metteer picked up a forfeit.
In all other weight classes, the Bulldogs either lost or forfeited.
”They beat us bad,” Roberts acknowledged. ”We went into the Scio dual pretty flat, and we have a lot of kids still dealing with injuries, so I’m okay with giving up a lot of points in forfeits to give us that little bit more time to finish healing before districts.”
Against Yamhill-Carlton, Johnson pinned Chase Couch in the first round at 152 pounds; Rogelio Legorreta, who wrestled up at 195, earned a second-round pin over Carson Bennett; and Carlie Prosser earned a 20-3 third-round tech fall over Cole Norwood.
Picking up forfeits were Metteer at 120 pounds and Miguel Lopez at 126.
”We were really looking forward to the match Alex would’ve had against district first seed Jacob Jarvis, who beat him at the Classics – but they opted to forfeit,” Roberts said.
He credited the team’s higher energy level in helping to secure the win: ”We came out against Yamhill-Carlton with a lot more energy and momentum than we did against Scio, and they did beat us at the Classics, so it was nice to get that win,” Roberts said.
This Saturday, Feb. 16, Creswell will join host Pleasant Hill, Harrisburg, Santiam Christian, Scio and Yamhill-Carlton for the Special District 2 District Championships.
The Dawgs held team ”wrestle-offs” Wednesday to determine the top two wrestlers in each weight class, who will represent Creswell at districts.
”At some weight classes we have three or four kids and we can only enter two at districts; so unfortunately, for some kids, last week was their final week of wrestling for the season,” Roberts said, noting that one or two of Creswell’s female wrestlers could earn their way to districts and attempt to secure a bid to state.
”We’ll just have to see which girls want to compete and who can earn a spot at their weight class,” he said.
Qualifying wrestlers from each district will advance to compete at the OSAA 3A State Wrestling Championships on Feb. 22 through 23 in Portland.
”Our team is very green but has a lot of passion; when they come out energized and motivated, with some momentum behind them, they’re very focused and strong,” Roberts said. ”I know our team’s ready to wrestle at districts and finish out strong. I think we’ll do very well there, and hopefully be sending some kids through to state.”
