The Philomath High School wrestling team swept a pair of home duals Tuesday with victories of 47-27 over Stayton and 71-9 over Junction City.
The Warriors will wrestle on the home mat again Wednesday with a matchup against perennial power Sweet Home. The action, which will include senior recognition, is scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m.
In the more competitive of the two duals Tuesday against Stayton, Philomath won six and lost four of the 10 matches that took place on the mat.
In the headline match of the evening, Eagles sophomore Leonardo Michel, ranked No. 2 by OregonWrestling.net, posted an 8-2 decision over Warriors sophomore and No. 4-ranked Porter Compton at 138 pounds. Michel started out this season wrestling at 150 and it was at that weight when he lost his only match against Philomath’s Riley Barrett in the championship match of the Perry Burlison Invitational.
Barrett, sophomore who is ranked No. 1 in the state, remained undefeated with a pin in 57 seconds over his Stayton opponent at 150 pounds. Junior River Sandstrom took out his opponent in 2:34 at 113. Sophomore Lukas Hernandez was a winner on a 16-0 technical fall at 126. Senior Gradin Fairbanks pinned his opponent in 1:41 at 165. Sophomore Lake Mulberry got a stick in 2:52 at 190. And sophomore Derick Kohn posted a win by pin in 3:25 at 215.
Philomath won five of the seven matches that took place in the win over Junction City. Senior Ellie Morton wrestled with the boys varsity in this one and pinned her opponent in 41 seconds at 106. Sandstrom (113), Compton (138) and junior Ari Hammond (144) all won on first-period pins. Hernandez (126) again won on a technical fall, 16-0.
In girls matches, senior Acacia Gonzalez-Bush (120) posted victories over two Stayton wrestlers and a Junction City wrestler — all on first-period pins. Senior Sadie Francis defeated an opponent from Stayton on a 4-0 decision.
Sweet Home is among the favorites to win the 4A state title this season after finishing runner-up to La Grande in 2020, 2022 and 2023. Depending on how coaches set their lineups, the potential exists for several matches involving top wrestlers from each team to take place.
