Blake Niemann
PHS senior Blake Niemann took the title at 126 pounds. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
Veteran wrestling coach Troy Woosley watches one of his athletes compete on Saturday at the Screamin’ Eagle. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
PHS freshman River Sandstrom placed third at 106 pounds, defeating Creswell’s Lyosha Mitchell on an 18-12 decision. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
Philomath junior Chase Ringwald wrestles Pleasant Hill’s Eli Anderson in the third-place match at 126. Ringwald won on a 12-0 major decision. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
A mat official raises Blaise Pindell’s hand in victory following the 170-pound championship match. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
Blaise Pindell
Philomath senior Blaise Pindell pinned Culver’s Isaiah Toomey in the 170-pound finale. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
Philomath High senior Blaise Pindell remained unbeaten this season by taking the 170-pound title at Saturday’s Screamin’ Eagle tournament at Santiam Christian. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
Philomath senior Blake Niemann executes a move on Pleasant Hill’s Eli Anderson in the semifinals at 126 pounds. Niemann went on to win the weight division. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
Philomath junior Ben Hernandez, seen here wrestling Landyn Philpott of La Pine, reached the 120-pound championship match but had to settle for runner-up. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
PHS junior Ben Hernandez had a first-period pin in a semifinal victory over Sam Schmidgall of Santiam Christian. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
Philomath’s Jacob Hamlet placed fourth at 220 pounds. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
The Warriors’ Gradin Fairbanks competes at 138 pounds during Saturday’s tournament. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
Philomath coach Troy Woosley talks to junior Caleb Blackburn during a timeout in the third-place match at 132 pounds. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
PHS junior Caleb Blackburn goes up against Corvallis’ Gavin Hale in the 132-pound third-place match. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)

Brad Fuqua, Philomath News

bradfuqua@philomathnews.com

Brad Fuqua has covered the Philomath area since 2014 as the editor of the now-closed Philomath Express and currently as publisher/editor of the Philomath News. He has worked as a professional journalist since 1988 at daily and weekly newspapers in Nebraska, Kansas, North Dakota, Arizona, Montana and Oregon.