For the first time in four years, the Philomath High School girls wrestling program will send an athlete to the state tournament.
Warriors senior Ellie Morton placed second in the 100-pound weight division Saturday at the 4A/3A/2A/1A Special District 2 Tournament at Cottage Grove. Morton’s performance comes after missing state in 2022 with fourth place and 2023 with sixth place.
The only other time that Philomath has qualified a female wrestler for an OSAA-sanctioned state tournament, which dates back to 2019, occurred in 2020 when Reynece Ryan advanced as a sophomore in the 190-pound weight division.
Morton and Harrisburg sophomore Gracie Williams entered the district tournament’s 100-pound bracket, which had six athletes competing, with first-round byes. In the semifinals, Morton advanced with a pin over Cascade freshman Alexis Cruz in 3 minutes, 35 seconds. Meanwhile, Williams defeated La Pine senior Cortanie Hendry with a pin in 5:07 to set up the championship match.
In the finals, Williams got out to an early advantage with a takedown and two-point nearfall in the first period for a 4-0 lead. In the second, Williams was awarded a penalty point and then got a one-point escape for a 6-0 advantage. And in the third, she was able to get Morton on her back for a three-point nearfall at the 1:16 mark and was leading 9-0 with 53 seconds left when she won on a pin.
Earlier in the semifinal match against Cruz, Morton took control in the first period by building a 5-0 lead. Morton executed a takedown with 45 seconds left in the period and was credited with a three-point nearfall at 22 seconds. She also picked up a stalling point earlier in the period.
In the second period, Morton started in the top position and worked into a two-point nearfall position for a 7-0 lead with 48 seconds left. The pin followed 23 seconds later.
Morton (19-5 record) advances to the 4A/3A/2A/1A girls state tournament Thursday and Friday at Veterans Memorial Coliseum. She joins nine PHS boys who qualified for state at their district tournament on Feb. 10.
Two other wrestlers competed for Philomath at the girls tournament with seniors Acacia Gonzalez-Bush at 125 and Sadie Francis at 105.
Gonzalez-Bush won her first match over Regis sophomore MaryBeth Nusom by recording a takedown 21 seconds into the opening period and winning on a pin at the 58-second mark. In the quarterfinals, she lost to Douglas senior Jessica Easterly on a pin in 2:53.
The loss dropped Gonzalez-Bush into the consolation bracket where she was matched up against Cottage Grove freshman Alexsis Woody. Gonzalez-Bush scored a takedown in the first period for an early lead but ended up losing early in the second period on a pin.
Francis was among 10 wrestlers in the 105 division. After receiving a bye into the quarterfinals, Francis went up against North Valley junior Sarah Gonzales on a pin in 1:33. In the consolation match that followed, Francis lost on a pin in 1:40 to North Douglas-Yoncalla junior Abby Dougherty.
In all, 51 teams sent wrestlers to the tournament with Sweet Home taking first place. Philomath tied for 30th with 24 points.
