PORTLAND – The Roseburg wrestling team is well on its way to a fourth-straight state title after day one of the state tournament in Portland.
The Indians advanced 10 wrestlers into the semifinals and compiled 222 points on the opening day. Roseburg leads second place Sprague by 93.5 points and the Indians are only 77 points away from setting a new school record for points scored at the state meet.
Roseburg’s four returning state champions are still in the championship brackets. Hunter Sparks (113), Bennett Mesa (132), Layne Van Anrooy (160), and Haydn Maley (220) all still have a chance to defend their title from a year ago. Those names were expected, but Roseburg has had a number of first time state qualifiers make deep runs in the tournament as well.
Tristin David (106), Archer Bergeron (113), and Damien Wells (126) have all reached the semifinals in their first appearance at the state tournament.
Others to reach the semifinals are Austin Harris (182), a three-time state placer, and Aaron Adair, the three-seed at 285 pounds.
The Indians also have seven wrestlers that have reached the quarterfinals of the consolation bracket. Those wrestlers are Isaiah Hernandez (132), Austin David (138), Shane Sabins (145), Garrett Russell (152), Brandon Jeffers (170), Matt McDowell (170), and Terrell Jacks (182).
Wrestling starts again on Saturday at 8:30 a.m. Championship bouts start at 6:30 p.m.