Tribal members capture state wrestling championships

By Dean Rhodes

Smoke Signals editor

Tribal members Jordan Reyes and Moses Mercier won state wrestling titles on Saturday, Feb. 23, during the OSAA State Wrestling Championships held at Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Portland.

Reyes and Mercier wrestled for the combined Willamina/Falls City team in the 106- and 113-pound weight classes, respectively.

Reyes, a senior, won his second state title, defeating Yamhill-Carlton’s second-ranked Reily Liesegang 10-2. Reyes will continue his wrestling career in college at the University of Buffalo.

Mercier, a sophomore, only took 42 seconds to pin La Pine’s Dylan Mann to win the 113-pound state championship. He placed fifth last season in his freshman year with Willamina.

Tribal member Kaleb Reid placed fifth in the 145-pound division.

Other Bulldog wrestlers who did well included Michael Fox at 126 pounds and Jordan Mode as a heavyweight. They both finished second in their respective weight classes.

The three Grand Ronde Tribal members helped Willamina/Falls City finish fourth as a team in the Class 3A competition. Last year, the Willamina/Falls City team finished first.