Sports

McNary wrestling takes down South Salem, impresses over weekend

It was a week of success on the mat for McNary wrestling last week with a dual meet win and several wrestlers placing at weekend tournaments.

McNary wrestling started off the successful week with a win in the first conference meet of the year.

The Celtics took down the South Salem Saxons 63-18 at South Salem High School on Wednesday, Jan. 4.

They were victorious in all 11 matches from 106-182 pounds. The Saxons came away with the points at 195, 220 and 285. 

The only forfeit at the meet was at 170 pounds, where McNary’s Josh Friesen earned the six points for the Celtics. 

The quickest match of the night was when Donovin Garcia (138) pinned South Salem’s Kayden Stephenson in 26 seconds.

Don York Invitational

The boys were at Cleveland High School in Portland as one of 20 teams at the Don York Invitational, with an impressive fourth place team finish, and seven individual places. 

McNary’s 208.5 points ws 14 behind Tualatin for third place, and 12.5 points ahead of fifth place McKay. Century High School came away with the top spot with 299.0, with Centennial High School with 283.5 in second place. 

Max Blanco brought home first place at 106 pounds. Blanco, who placed third in the state at 106 last year as a sophomore, is now 17-2 on the season. 

Also at 106, Pedro Shay Vega finished fourth for the Celtics.

Josh Friesen (170) finished second, improving his season record to 21-3.

Anthony Thomas (152) finished fourth, Joey Barros (113) finished fifth, while Anthony Manzo (145) and Jensen Dubois (182) came in sixth.

WIAA Kelso Girls Invitational

Meanwhile the girls made their way up to Washington for the WIAA Kelso Girls Invitational in Kelso, Wash. 

In the two-day tournament there were 96 teams from Washington, Oregon and Canada. The Lady Celts finished 35th with 65.5 points.

McKenna Unger (120) finished fifth, while Ali Martinez (190) came in seventh for the Lady Celts.