Many wrestlers from West Linn qualified to participate in the State Championship Meet, held at the Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum in Portland on Feb. 27-28, however, none came home as a champion. Within this group of wrestlers, eight placed in the top 16 for their weight class and continued on to the final tournament with four rounds.

Tim Harman, senior, at 152 lbs., was the best bet to repeat as state champion. He lost to Layne Van Anrooy from Roseburg in an extremely close and competitive match in the championship round.

“He challenged himself by staying in the 152 lb. weight class,” said Coach Bingham. “He could have easily dropped to a lower weight class and won.” However, Bingham explained how Harman was determined to push himself and to beat the hardest wrestler in state, Anrooy. This showed Harman’s character as a wrestler.

Ryan Anderson, senior, at 182 lbs., lost in the semifinal round due to a concussion. He placed second in the 182 lb. weight class.

“It was really intense and there were a lot of people,” Connor Maloney, sophomore, at 220 lbs. said. Wrestling someone who was fifth in state was a challenge. “He threw me on the ground and pinned me,” Maloney said.

Most of the other wrestlers did not realize success at state. Maloney says he wishes he was able to get better rest. It was difficult to perform his best when he was sick the previous night, which only allowed him three hours of sleep. To add on to that, this was his first year wrestling, and he was a bit overwhelmed by the championship meet.

“They were all pretty close matches,” said Geoff Bingham, assistant coach.

For those who qualified for the top 16 in their respective weight classes, most lost in the first or second round. Although eight wrestlers from West Linn moved on to these final tournaments, none left as overall victors due to close matches.

120 Ian Snapp, junior- lost in round 1

126 Jacob Dayly, junior- was defeated in round 2

132 Kane Snapp, junior- lost in round 1

138 Ethan Staley, senior- made it to round 2

152 Tim Harman, senior- came close to repeating the championship in the final round

152 Gabriel Alvarado, senior- lost in round 2

170 Jacob Taylor, junior- made it to round 2

182 Ryan Anderson, senior- ended in round 3 (semi final) with a concussion