PAGE A20, KEIZERTIMES, NOVEMBER 26, 2021
High expectations in place for McNary wrestling
THE
MAT
Jonathan Canchola (left) placed second in the 138-pound division at the MVC District Meet last season.
BY MATT RAWLINGS
Of the Keizertimes
After losing only three seniors and
filling a roster with more than 60 ath-
letes, the McNary wrestling program has
a ton of depth heading into the 2021-22
season.
In the shortened spring season,
the Celtics had 15 district placers and
nine state qualifiers — all of whom are
returning.
“We have the most kids I have ever
had in my four years here. I am pumped.
We have an experienced lineup. Most of
these kids have been here two or three
years now. They are excited and hungry
and have their own set of expectations,”
transferred in from Crook County, made
it to the 4A state meet last season.
“Most schools forfeit at 106 in duals,
and here we are with three really good
ones. It's definitely a good problem to
have because it’s a problem that no one
ever sees,” Martin said.
On the back end, senior Layne Runyan
and Aldo Villalvazo will be two of the top
heavyweights in the Mountain Valley
Conference (MVC) after both qualified
for state last season.
“Both of them are ready to take that
next step,” Martin said.
Even though he hasn't wrestled in a
state tournament, senior Jordan Orr is
arguably the most experienced wrestler
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McNary head coach Sam Martin said. “I
would argue that we have a lot of depth
that other programs don’t have. Every
single one of those kids that qualified for
state had some sort of success.”
Sophomore Max Blanco was McNary's
top finisher at the state tournament last
season, placing fifth in the 106-pound
division. Martin expects Blanco to make
the podium at state once again this year.
“He now has that expectation to take
it a step further,” Martin said.
McNary has two other quality wres-
tlers who will be competing at 106
pounds in Joey Barros and Jackson
Wainwright. Barros qualified for the state
meet last season while Wainwright, who
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FILE PHOTO, Keizertimes
maze by Jonathan Graf of Keizer