EIGHT - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Heppner girls wrestlers shine
Heppner Mustangs
grapple to 5th at districts, at districts, secure state spots
Heppner High School onto the mat, they are met
send three to state
girls’ wrestling had a his- with many emotions: ner-
On Friday and Satur- ite thing about the Heppner
day, February 21-22, 2025, wrestling program is how
the Heppner High School close we are as a team. Our
boys’ wrestling team trav- dynamic is fantastic, and
eled to Bend, Oregon, to we always find ways to
compete in the OSAA have fun. What I love most
2A/1A Special District 3 about my coaches is how
tournament. HHS had a they hold me accountable
successful second weekend for what I do or don’t do.
of district wrestling, with They tell me when I am
the boys wrapping up the wrong and help me fix my
season while still paving the mistakes, but they are just
way for the upcoming state as quick to praise me and
championships. With seven point out what I did right.
wrestlers placing and three They always have fun with
qualifying for state, the us and get involved. My
team proudly finished 5th coaches continue to help
overall, competing along- me overcome obstacles,
side fourteen other schools. like the pressure of the
Zachary Brown, a se- state tournament, and they
nior and Landon McMa- help me stay focused before
hon, a sophomore, both and during competitions.
placed first in their respec- They always believe in me
tive classes at districts. and let me know that they
Brown was the top seed are proud of me, win or
in his weight class, having lose. I’m looking forward
placed third at state last year to hanging out with Jaime
and qualified for state the and Zac for one last time in
year before. Brown is 36-0 wrestling, and I’m excited
this season with over 100 to finish the year strong
career wins. This marks the and hopefully win a state
third consecutive year that championship. The biggest
Brown has qualified for challenge I have overcome
state and the second year is the mental battle wres-
for McMahon. McMahon tling brings with it.”
was also the first seed for
State-bound Mustang
his weight class this year. wrestlers will be sent off
He placed 2nd at state last on Wednesday, February
year and holds a record of 26, 2025, at 2:30 PM. Boys
48-2 for this season.
and girls will be heading
Jaime Cavan, also a to compete in the 2025
senior, is the third state OSAA/OnPoint Commu-
qualifier for the Heppner nity Credit Union Wrestling
boys’ wrestling team, plac- State Championships at the
ing 2nd at districts. This is Veterans Memorial Colise-
also Cavan’s third year of um in Portland, Oregon, on
being a state qualifier; he the 27th and 28th of Febru-
placed 3rd at state last year ary. Wrestling brackets are
and 4th the year before.
already posted online on
L a n d o n M c M a h o n Track Wrestling under the
shared what he has enjoyed tournament name for those
most about his wrestling who are interested. Good
career thus far: “My favor- luck, Mustangs!
OSAA 2A/1A Special District 3 Tournament
Date: February 21-22, 2025
Location: Bend, OR
Team Result: Heppner placed 5th with 139.5 team
points
Individual Results
Zachary Brown (157 lbs) - 1st Place Champ. Round
1: Defeated Bryce Cunningham (Culver), Fall 0:42
Quarterfinal: Defeated Mylen Bowen (Crane), Fall 0:23
Semifinal: Defeated Wyatt Thomas (Adrian), Fall 0:54
1st Place Match: Defeated Anthony Pallis (Imbler), Inj.
0:00 Team Points: 30.0
Landon McMahon (215 lbs) - 1st Place Champ.
Round 1: Defeated Jesus Alvarado Disdado (Culver),
Fall 1:14 Quarterfinal: Defeated Joseph Ralston (Jo-
seph), Fall 0:33 Semifinal: Defeated Raymone Hawley
(Crane), Fall 1:24 1st Place Match: Defeated Gavin
Russell (Joseph), Fall 0:23 Team Points: 30.0
Jaime Cavan (190 lbs) - 2nd Place Champ. Round
1: Bye Quarterfinal: Defeated Tucker Magee (Union/
Cove), Fall 1:19 Semifinal: Defeated Mason Benge
(Grant Union/Prairie City), Fall 3:41 1st Place Match:
Lost to Gunnar McDowell (Enterprise/Wallowa), Deci-
sion 8-2 Team Points: 22.0
Hayden McMahon (144 lbs) - 4th Place Champ.
Round 1: Defeated Sylar Carey (Union/Cove), Fall
1:29 Quarterfinal: Defeated Shane Wenke (Enterprise/
Wallowa), Fall 1:54 Semifinal: Lost to Owen Parsons
(Grant Union/Prairie City), Fall 3:07 Cons. Semi.: De-
feated Kadin Allen (Elgin), Fall 1:24 3rd Place Match:
Lost to Pearce Schnetzky (Enterprise/Wallowa), Fall
1:46 Team Points: 18.0
Owen Guerra (175 lbs) - 5th Place Champ. Round 1:
Lost to Xander Olman (Irrigon), Fall 5:03 Cons. Round
1: Bye Cons. Round 2: Defeated Derek Faulconer
(Adrian), Fall 1:59 Cons. Round 3: Defeated Josue
Gutierrez (Culver), Fall 1:54 Cons. Semi.: Lost to Eli
Maley (Crane), Fall 2:55 5th Place Match: Defeated
Gabe McKaig (Union/Cove), Fall 2:34 Team Points:
14.0
Kaden King (165 lbs) - 5th Place Champ. Round 1:
Bye Quarterfinal: Lost to Everett Vardanega (Grant
Union/Prairie City), Fall 3:09 Cons. Round 2: Bye
Cons. Round 3: Defeated Emilio Romero (Irrigon),
Tech-Fall 19-2 (2:00) Cons. Semi.: Lost to Bear Doman
(Crane), Fall 0:28 5th Place Match: Defeated Everett
Vardanega (Grant Union/Prairie City), Fall 0:54 Team
Points: 10.5
Conner Wilson (157 lbs) - 6th Place Champ. Round
1: Bye Quarterfinal: Lost to Anthony Pallis (Imbler),
Major Decision 13-1 Cons. Round 2: Defeated Carlos
Mendoza (Irrigon), Fall 2:21 Cons. Round 3: Defeated
Adrian Cardoza (Crane), Major Decision 9-1 Cons.
Semi.: Lost to Wyatt Thomas (Adrian), Fall 4:52 5th
Place Match: Lost to Jasper Rutledge (Culver), Fall
4:30 Team Points: 8.0
Nickolas Wenberg (165 lbs) - Did Not Place Champ.
Round 1: Lost to Larry McKaig (Union/Cove), Sudden
Victory 12-9 Cons. Round 1: Bye Cons. Round 2: De-
feated Felipe Marcom (Grant Union/Prairie City), Fall
0:51 Cons. Round 3: Lost to Larry McKaig (Union/
Cove), Decision 7-6 Team Points: 4.0
Lane Critchlow (285 lbs) - Did Not Place Champ.
Round 1: Bye Quarterfinal: Lost to Juan Rico (Adri-
an), Decision 13-10 Cons. Round 2: Defeated Blaine
Medlock (Elgin), Fall 3:36 Cons. Round 3: Lost to
Dominic Turner (Grant Union/Prairie City), Inj. 0:00
Team Points: 3.0
toric weekend at districts,
with two female wrestlers
qualifying for state and one
becoming the first district
champion in the history of
Heppner’s girls’ wrestling
program.
On Friday, February 14,
2025, Heppner traveled to
La Grande, Oregon, for the
OSAA Girls 4A/3A/2A/1A
Special District 3 Cham-
pionship, which featured
29 teams from across the
state. Heppner brought the
largest team they’ve ever
had as a school—six female
wrestlers. Three placed,
two qualified for state, and
one brought home a district
championship title, mark-
ing a first in Heppner’s
history of female wrestling.
Journey Cavan-Harris,
a junior at HHS, was seed-
ed 2nd and has spent the
past few years honing her
technique, aiming to be-
come one of the first female
wrestlers from Heppner to
qualify for state. Last year,
she came close, placing 5th
at districts. The team and
coaches were hopeful for
at least one qualifier this
year. Cavan-Harris pinned
her way through the tour-
nament, secured a spot at
state, and claimed the first-
place title in her class. This
makes her Heppner’s very
first female district cham-
pion. Additionally, Heppner
had a second state qualifier
when Keeley Nairns took
fourth place in her class at
districts.
Keeley Nairns, the
team’s senior class lead-
er, moved up to a higher
weight class before placing
fourth and securing her spot
for state. Nairns went 3-2
at the tournament, familiar
with only two of her op-
ponents, while giving up a
thirty-pound advantage to
her competitors.
Emilia Cavan-Harris, a
freshman at HHS, went 2-3
and placed 6th in her class
at districts. The team placed
9th overall, wrapping up a
historic weekend for our
small 2A program.
As the teams make their
way to state this weekend,
we are reminded that for
many wrestlers, the journey
to state is a culmination of
years of hard work, dedica-
tion, perseverance, and sup-
port from their coaches and
community. As they step
vous excitement, anticipa-
tion, and a profound sense
of pride. The weight of
their dreams rests on their
shoulders, and they are well
aware that every move and
every decision could be the
difference between victory
and defeat. The support of
their coaches, teammates,
and families fuels their re-
solve, reminding them that
they have the strength and
skill to succeed. As they
face their opponents, they
draw on their abilities and
spirit, ready to overcome
emotional and physical
obstacles to give it every-
thing they’ve got for a shot
at glory.
Heppner ’s Journey
Cavan-Harris and Keeley
Nairns know these feelings
firsthand as they prepare for
state this coming weekend.
Nairns had this to say
about her time as a wrestler
in the program: “Despite
having only two years of
experience, I believe my
biggest accomplishment is
the noticeable improvement
from last year. My record
and confidence have in-
creased as I’ve spent more
time in the environment.
The most enjoyable part
of the program is getting
the chance to advocate
for myself on the mat. In
wrestling, effort in practice
directly translates to perfor-
mance, unlike other sports
where only a few can show-
case their skills at a time.
My coaches, Tyler and Zac,
are the backbone of my suc-
cess. Without their support
through wins and losses, I
wouldn’t be where I am to-
day in my wrestling career.
They are always happy to
see me grow, no matter
the outcome of the match.
Wrestling has helped me
grow as a person and an ath-
lete. It keeps me account-
able in school, ensuring my
grades are up and my work
is done to remain eligible to
compete. The sport pushes
me past my limits every
day and has taught me to
embrace defeat, using it as
fuel and motivation for my
next match. This season
has made me feel happy
and accomplished. I believe
this is the best way to end
my final season—with my
favorite coach, Tyler, and
my best friend, Journey,
heading to state.”
OSAA Girls 4A/3A/2A/1A Special District 3 Cham-
pionship
Location: La Grande, Oregon
Date: February 14-15, 2025
Team Result: Heppner placed 9th overall with 63.0
team points
Individual Results
Journey Cavan-Harris (140 lbs) - 1st Place Champ.
Round 1: Bye Quarterfinal: Defeated Taylor Narron (La
Grande), Fall 1:38 Semifinal: Defeated Shelby Bunting
(Culver), Fall 2:57 1st Place Match: Defeated Jacie
Lathrop (Elgin), Fall 1:08 Team Points: 28.0
Keeley Nairns (235 lbs) - 4th Place Quarterfinal: De-
feated Jolisa Mendoza (Crook County), Fall 1:45 Semi-
final: Lost to Mallory Lusco (Grant Union), Fall 0:28
Cons. Semi: Defeated Grace Turpin (Crook County),
Fall 2:26 3rd Place Match: Lost to Cinthia Madrigal
(Irrigon), Fall 1:08 4th Place Match: Defeated Velma
Spino (Madras), Fall 0:56 Team Points: 16.0
Emilia Cavan-Harris (145 lbs) - 6th Place Champ.
Round 1: Bye Quarterfinal: Lost to Adysen Maupin
(Vale), Fall 1:22 Cons. Round 2: Defeated Sara Akers
(Irrigon), Fall 2:40 Cons. Round 3: Defeated Juliah
Williams (Riverside), Fall 1:28 Cons. Semi: Lost to
April Lopez (Crane), Fall 4:42 5th Place Match: Lost to
Emma Berry (La Grande), Fall 0:46 Team Points: 9.0
Harlee Cotton (125 lbs) - Did Not Place Champ.
Round 1: Lost to Aly Qual (Grant Union), Fall 5:32
Cons. Round 1: Bye Cons. Round 2: Defeated Lexi
Flores (Irrigon), Fall 4:16 Cons. Round 3: Defeated
Isabella Guillory (Enterprise/Wallowa), Fall 1:13 Cons.
Round 4: Defeated Emily Villagomez (La Grande), Fall
2:27 Cons. Round 5: Lost to Angelina Santana (Nyssa),
Fall 2:16 Team Points: 10.0
Loren Trujillo (115 lbs) - Did Not Place Champ.
Round 1: Lost to June Connor (Crook County), Fall
3:10 Cons. Round 1: Bye Cons. Round 2: Lost to Hai-
ley Johnson (La Grande), Decision 9-7 Team Points:
0.0
Sarah Munkers (170 lbs) - Did Not Place Champ.
Round 1: Lost to Kaylyani Estimo (Madras), Fall 2:34
Cons. Round 1: Bye Cons. Round 2: Lost to Hailey
Wright (Union/Cove), Medical Forfeit Team Points: 0.0
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