The Philomath High School wrestling team lost a dual for the first time this season — and by the slimmest of margins — and also posted a victory in action on Wednesday over in Junction City.
Going up against the host school, Philomath and Junction City ended in a 36-36 tie. The tiebreaker was most matches won and the Wildcats had a 7-6 edge. Forfeits are figured into matches won but that did not play into the final tally with each school winning three in that fashion.
Among the matches that materialized on the mat, two went the distance for decisions. At 170 pounds, Junction City’s Emmett Henderson maneuvered his way to an 8-5 decision over Philomath’s Blaise Pindell. At heavyweight, Junction City’s Bryce Moore outlasted Philomath’s Joseph Choi by a 7-0 count.
Wins on the mat for Philomath included Ben Hernandez at 120, Gradin Fairbanks at 145 and Jacob Williams at 182 — all of those on pins. Isaiah Blackburn, Connar Kohn and Blake Niemann all had to sit out with forfeit wins.
Philomath defeated Stayton in the team’s other dual by a score of 42-29. Hernandez (120), Caleb Blackburn (132), Pindell (170) and Kohn (220) had on-the-mat victories with all of those coming on pins. Among the forfeit wins were David Griffith (152), Blackburn (195) and Choi (285). Isaiah Blackburn, a senior, has not wrestled an official bout this week with two other forfeit wins on Tuesday at Elmira.
Philomath will head to Sweet Home Thursday for duals against the host school, Cascade and Marshfield.
Junction City Duals
Wednesday, June 2, at Junction City HS
Junction City 36, Philomath 36
(JC wins on tiebreaker for matches won, 7-6)
| Wt | Result |
|---|---|
| 106 | Double forfeit |
| 113 | Jayden Stewart, Junction City, won by forfeit |
| 120 | Ben Hernandez, Philomath, pinned PJ Machacek, 0:47 |
| 126 | Blake Niemann, Philomath, won by forfeit |
| 132 | Evan Potter, Junction City, pinned Caleb Blackburn, 1:48 |
| 138 | Nathan Fojtasek, Junction City, won by forfeit |
| 145 | Gradin Fairbanks, Philomath, pinned Bodee Haddy, 3:59 |
| 152 | Carson Henderson, Junction City, pinned David Griffth, 5:13 |
| 160 | Kaden McDaniel, Junction City, won by forfeit |
| 170 | Emmett Henderson, Junction City, dec. Blaise Pindell, 8-5 |
| 182 | Jacob Williams, Philomath, pinned Alexander Jacob, 0:50 |
| 195 | Issiah Blackburn, Philomath, won by forfeit |
| 220 | Connar Kohn, Philomath, won by forfeit |
| 285 | Bryer Moore, Junction City, dec. Joseph Choi, 7-0 |
Philomath 42, Stayton 29
| Wt | Result |
|---|---|
| 106 | Double forfeit |
| 113 | Double forfeit |
| 120 | Ben Hernandez, Philomath, pinned Ben Adams, 5:04 |
| 126 | Mauro Michel, Stayton, tech. fall Blake Niemann, 15-0 (2:42) |
| 132 | Caleb Blackburn, Philomath, pinned Robbi Aerni, 3:39 |
| 138 | Donald Morgan, Stayton, won by forfeit |
| 145 | Eli Howard, Stayton, pinned Gradin Fairbanks, 1:09 |
| 152 | David Griffith, Philomath, won by forfeit |
| 160 | Jason Ritchie, Stayton, won by forfeit |
| 170 | Blaise Pindell, Philomath, pinned Chance Ellingsworth, 1:08 |
| 182 | Connor Hollenbeck, Stayton, pinned Jacob Williams, 0:39 |
| 195 | Issiah Blackburn, Philomath, won by forfeit |
| 220 | Connar Kohn, Philomath, pinned Johnny Sylva, 1:16 |
| 285 | Joseph Choi, Philomath, won by forfeit |