Philomath High’s top six wrestlers finished with a combined record of 15-2 against three of the toughest programs in Class 4A during home duals on Thursday.
Sophomore Ben Hernandez, junior Blake Niemann, junior Blaise Pindell and senior Connar Kohn finished the day unbeaten while sophomore David Griffith and senior Issiah Blackburn each won two of their three matchups on the mat.
Philomath opened with a 48-25 loss to Estacada. Taking forfeits out of the equation, the two schools were very close in competitiveness with the Rangers winning six bouts to Philomath’s five. Two of Estacada’s wins came on one-point decisions.
Hernandez got a quick pin over his opponent at 113 and Niemann followed with a hard-fought 10-7 decision at 120. Chase Ringwald saw the lead slip away over his opponent in the third period in a tough 5-4 loss at 132 pounds.
Pindell took care of his opponent with a pin in 2:55 at 170 pounds. Blackburn picked up a win by major decision at 195. And at 285, Joseph Choi lost by a 6-5 count in what turned into an aggressive matchup. Afterward while words were being exchanged, Estacada’s wrestler was disqualified from the rest of the day’s competition.
Kohn, who wrestles at 220, didn’t see action against Estacada with a win by forfeit.
Tillamook posted a 48-25 win over Philomath. Hernandez won by a pin in 2:27 and Niemann was a winner in just 1:16 with a pin over his opponent. Griffith at 152 won by pin in 1:34.
Pindell wasn’t on the mat long with a pin in 28 seconds over his opponent. Kohn took a full minute to defeat his opponent on a pin.
In the closest dual of the day for the Warriors, Banks pulled out a 39-36 win. Hernandez won by pin yet again, this time in 48 seconds. Niemann dominated his opponent and just missed a technical fall with a 15-1 major decision. Griffith pinned his foe in 1:18.
Pindell had no problems with his opponent with a 17-0 technical fall. Blackburn worked for a 9-7 decision over Daevon Vereen. Kohn pinned his opponent in 2:16.
Choi had tough luck again in this dual with his second one-point loss of the day.
Philomath wrestlers overall went 15-15 in on-the-mat matches for the three duals.
Tillamook, Banks and Estacada all finished 3-0 for the day. Other results: Banks 48, Cascade 29; Tillamook 60, Siuslaw 12; Tillamook 51, Cascade 30; Estacada 55, Siuslaw 18; Estacada 42, Cascade 29; and Banks 57, Siuslaw 23.
Philomath will now prepare for the June 17 district tournament at Sweet Home.
Philomath Duals
Thursday, June 10, at Philomath HS
Estacada 48, Philomath 25
| Wt | Result |
|---|---|
| 106 | Adalynne Skupa, Estacada, won by forfeit |
| 113 | Ben Hernandez, Philomath, pinned Nehemiah Gaul, 0:23 |
| 120 | Blake Niemann, Philomath, dec. Landin Vittetoe, 10-7 |
| 126 | Cohen Schleich, Estacada, pinned Caleb Blackburn, 3:09 |
| 132 | Tucker Jackson, Estacada, dec. Chase Ringwald, 5-4 |
| 138 | Kaiden King, Estacada, pinned Gradin Fairbanks, 1:45 |
| 145 | Caleb McDonald, Estacada, won by forfeit |
| 152 | Kaden Watkins, Estacada, pinned David Griffith, 3:10 |
| 160 | Cody Hovda, Estacada, pinned Jake Williams, 0:38 |
| 170 | Blaise Pindell, Philomath, pinned Mark Youngberg, 2:55 |
| 182 | James Durand, Estacada, won by forfeit |
| 195 | Issiah Blackburn, Philomath, maj. dec. Jackson Turner, 16-5 |
| 220 | Connar Kohn, Philomath, won by forfeit |
| 285 | Devin Gotchall, Estacada, dec. Joseph Choi, 6-5 |
Tillamook 48, Philomath 36
| Wt | Result |
|---|---|
| 106 | Bryce Haltiner, Tillamook, won by forfeit |
| 113 | Ben Hernandez, Philomath, pinned Joshua Perdew, 2:27 |
| 120 | Blake Niemann, Philomath, pinned Baird Hagerty, 1:16 |
| 126 | Austin Simmons, Tillamook, pinned Caleb Blackburn, 1:01 |
| 132 | Bradley Rieger, Tillamook, pinned Chase Ringwald, 0:13 |
| 138 | Tyler Moncrief, Tillamook, pinned Gradin Fairbanks, 0:50 |
| 145 | Parker McKibbin, Tillamook, won by forfeit |
| 152 | David Griffith, Philomath, pinned James Goddard, 1:34 |
| 160 | Gilbert Whitlatch, Tillamook, pinned Jake Williams, 3:36 |
| 170 | Blaise Pindell, Philomath, pinned Hayden Hamerl, 0:28 |
| 182 | Logan Mckibbon, Tillamook, won by forfeit |
| 195 | Michael O’Neil, Tillamook, pinned Issiah Blackburn, 1:40 |
| 220 | Connar Kohn, Philomath, pinned Jackson Contreras, 1:00 |
| 285 | Joseph Choi, Philomath, won by forfeit |
Banks 39, Philomath 36
| Wt | Result |
|---|---|
| 106 | George Bergstrom, Banks, won by forfeit |
| 113 | Ben Hernandez, Philomath, pinned Jace Thompson, 0:48 |
| 120 | Blake Niemann, Philomath, maj. dec. Mason Warren, 15-1 |
| 126 | Hunter Smith, Banks, pinned Caleb Blackburn, 2:44 |
| 132 | Dylan Smith, Banks, pinned Chase Ringwald, 1:17 |
| 138 | Jackson Lyda, Banks, pinned Gradin Fairbanks, 3:40 |
| 145 | Luke Bozied, Banks, won by forfeit |
| 152 | David Griffith, Philomath, pinned Tyler Smith, 1:18 |
| 160 | Jake Williams, Philomath, won by forfeit |
| 170 | Blaise Pindell, Philomath, tech. fall Rephael Mauck, 17-0 |
| 182 | Desean Stafford, Banks, won by forfeit |
| 195 | Issiah Blackburn, Philomath, dec. Daevon Vereen, 9-7 |
| 220 | Connar Kohn, Philomath, pinned Mishael Mauck, 2:16 |
| 285 | Ramsey Hering, Banks, dec. Joseph Choi, 1-0 |