Sandy claims team victory despite not having individual champion; eyes Senior Night and District meet

Sandy wrestling celebrated its first tournament win of the season last month thanks to the heroic efforts of every wrestler on the roster who scrapped and fought for every possible bonus point to claim a spot atop the podium despite not having an individual champion.

The Pioneers won the 15-school Tod Surmon/Mid-Valley Classic wrestling tournament Friday, Jan. 28, at South Albany High with 144.5 points to edge out Philomath High's 140. Mountainside placed third with 133 points. Sandy junior varsity finished second.

"This was a team effort," said Coach Bryce Reisnaur. "We knew if we wrestled as an entire team, we had an opportunity to win it."

Reisnaur admitted its uncommon to hoist a tourney trophy without individual champs, but said it shows how hard each person on the roster worked.

"We had numerous times where our guys were getting those extra half points, everyone was hungry for a team win," he said.

That mindset is bolstering a program that has publicly stated this season the goal is winning the Mt. Hood Conference district tournament, which the Pioneers host Friday and Saturday, Feb. 18-19.

"Winning that tournament is validation for the work this team is putting in," Reisnaur said. "I am happy with where this team is at, and we will keep working for that district title."

Sandy will have one last chance for a tune-up before districts. They host Barlow Thursday evening, Feb. 10, for a Senior Night dual meet.

TEAM SCORES

Sandy 144.5, Philomath 140, Mountainside 133, South Albany 128.5, Ridgeview 118.5, Southridge 115.5, Central 95, Junction City 80.5, West Albany 57, Sisters 54, Sheldon 52, North Eugene 45, Corvallis 37, Churchill 13.

TOP INDIVIDUALS

(First place and Sandy placers in top 6)

106 pounds

First place: Brody Lybarger of Mountainside

113 pounds

First: Case Merritt of Central

120 pounds

First: Benjamin Hernandez of Philomath

Second: Kayden Keller of Sandy

Fifth: Nicholas Yarnell of Sandy

126 pounds

First: Blake Niemann of Philomath

Second: Gage Culp of Sandy

132 pounds

First: Jarron Huebner of West Albany

Second: Mason Culp of Sandy

138 pounds

First: Andy Melz of Southridge

Third: Caleb Hawkes of Sandy

145 pounds

First: Brayden Newport of South Albany

152 pounds

First: Ethan Dunigan of Central

160 pounds

First: Carson Henderson of Junction City

170 pounds

First: Emmett Henderson of Junction City

Fifth: Uriah Subia of Sandy

182 pounds

First: Joseph Pearson of Central

Third: Mikey Platz of Sandy

195 pounds

First: Michael Madden of Mountainside

220 pounds

First: Joseph Martin of Ridgeview

Third: Gabe Tammad of Sandy

285 pounds

First: Nomani Liu of Southridge

Second: Nate Shea of Sandy

Third: Gabe Rhue of Sandy