Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (March 5, 2025)
SIX - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, March 5, 2025 Mustang wrestling ends successful season at state Zachary Brown goes for a pin. -Contributed Keeley Nairns Jaime Cavan faces off against an opponent. -Contributed Journey Cavan-Harris placed 6th at state meet. -Continued from PAGE ONE Capping off an already historic weekend, the boys’ team earned HHS’s first-ev- er team trophy at state, ac- cumulating enough points to secure the fourth-place finish as a team. Zachary Brown, a se- nior at HHS, completed a flawless season with an undefeated record of 40- 0, bringing home a first- place win in the 157-pound weight class at the state tournament. Brown, who has been wrestling since he was in kindergarten, fin- ished his high school career with an impressive all-time record of 144-29. Jaime Cavan, another senior at HHS, finished his season with a strong 38-10 record, and placed fourth at state in the 190-pound weight class. Remarkably, Cavan has only been wres- tling for three years, yet he leaves behind an all-time record of 104-31. Landon McMahon, a junior at HHS, delivered an impressive performance with a 52-2 season record, taking first place in the 215-pound weight class at state. McMahon, now in his third year of wrestling, boasts a remarkable record of 115-29 as he looks ahead to his final season as a senior. Wrestling has been a unique journey for female athletes at HHS, transition- ing from a club sport to full recognition by OSAA just last year. While regional and state tournaments ex- isted previously, it wasn’t until the 2023-2024 season that girls’ wrestling re- ceived official status as a high school sport. The rapid growth of wrestling is undeniable, standing out as one of the fastest growing sports in Oregon and across the Unit- ed States. Starting next year, it will achieve another milestone by becoming an NCAA Division I sport. It is impossible to over- look the groundbreaking achievements of the female athletes at HHS this season, and to mention once more that Journey Cavan-Harris, a junior, has made history as the first female wrestler at HHS to secure a district title and earn placement at the state level. She ended her season with a record of 34-19, including an impres- sive sixth-place finish in the girls’ 140-pound weight class following her district championship victory. Keeley Nairns, a senior, also made her mark as one of the first female wrestlers at HHS to place at districts and qualify for state. De- spite not placing at state this year, Nairns completed her season with a record of 22-20. In just two years of wrestling, she has shown growth and solidified her place as a trailblazing Mus- tang athlete, paving the way for others to follow in her wake. Although Mustang wrestling has been around for 19 years, its origins might feel like yesterday Landon McMahon struggles to keep an opponent down. -Contributed to many. The program was founded in 2005 by Ken Bailey at HHS. In 2009, Mark Lemmon stepped into the role of head coach after spending two years as an assistant to Troy Morgan. Establishing a wres- tling program was a key condition for Lemmon to accept a job in the area, though he hadn’t anticipat- ed leading the team himself. What started as a surprising challenge became a labor of love for Lemmon, who was determined to endure that the program endured. Motivated by his own expe- rience of losing a wrestling program in high school, he was committed to building a lasting legacy for HHS athletes. Over the years, the program has achieved sig- nificant milestones. The highest number of wres- tlers that HHS has sent to state was six out of a team of nine. Before this year, the program boasted four state championships. In 2014, Ryan Smith and Jared Lemmon became the first Mustang wrestlers to claim state titles, with Smith later winning another champion- ship along with Cord Flynn. Jared Lemmon’s victory followed an impressive streak of four district cham- pionships. Earlier in 2010, Chance Day and Wacy Coil had made history as the first Mustang wrestlers to place at the state level. Despite skepticism each year about the pro- gram’s longevity, the dedi- cation of the coaching staff, the determination of the athletes and the unwaver- ing support of fans have ensured that Mustang wres- tling continues to thrive and grow stronger. Full Heppner results for the OSAA/OnPoint State Tournament in Portland were: 2A/1A Boys Results: The Heppner team placed fourth overall. Zachary Brown (157) won first place, securing victories by fall in all his MAIN STREET FOOD VENDORS PARADISE ROSE CHUCKWAGON 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM FRI - SAT BBQ - @ the City Park QUALITY CONCESSIONS 9:00 AM - Closing, FRI - SUN matches. In the champion- ship round, Brown defeated Justice Faville (Santiam) by fall in 0:50. In the quarter- final, he defeated Tanner Swearingen (Oakland) by fall in 0:55. In the semifinal, Brown defeated Carson Watson (Toledo) by fall in 2:34. In the 1st place match, he defeated Trevor Lasater (Gold Beach) by fall in 3:34. Brown scored 28.0 team points. Landon McMahon (215) won first place, se- curing victories by fall in all his matches. He defeat- ed Danile Lopez Sanchez (Kennedy) by fall in 0:51 in the championship round, Donavan McDermott (Oak- land) by fall in 0:32 in the quarterfinals, Coby Holmes (Culver) by fall in 5:41 in the semifinal, and Jaxson Heckard (Illinois Valley) by fall in 4:27 in the 1st place match. McMahon scored 28.0 team points. Jaime Cavan (190) placed fourth. After receiv- ing a bye in the champion- ship round, he won by de- cision 7-5 over Bryce Wil- liardt (North Lake) in the quarterfinals. In the semifi- nal, Gunnar McDowell (En- terprise/Wallowa) defeated Cavan by decision 7-2. In the consolation semifinals, Cavan won by fall in 2:28 over Mason Benge (Grant Union/Prairie City), but in the 3rd place match, Ben Imdicke (Colton) defeated Cavan by tech fall 24-7 in 6:00. Cavan scored 11.0 team points. 4A/3A/2A/1A Girls’ Results: Journey Ca- van-Harris (140) finished sixth. She was defeated by Chloe Comerford (North Marion) by fall in 2:49 in the championship round. After a bye in the consola- tion round, Cavan-Harris won by fall in 0:43 over Seveen Wernegreen (Hid- den Valley) and by major decision 10-0 over Ke- nadee Hunter (Harrisburg) in the consolation rounds. Kaydencce Johnson (Hid- den Valley) defeated her by fall in 2:47 in the consola- tion semifinals, and Jacie Lathrop (Elgin) defeated Cavan-Harris by fall in 4:58 in the fifth-place match. Cavan-Harris scored 9.0 team points. Keeley Nairns (235) did not place. After a bye in the championship round, Nairns was defeated by Katie Rehnert (Warrenton) by fall in 2:30 in the quar- terfinals. She won by fall in 2:41 over Hannah Travis (Central Linn) in the con- solation round but was de- feated by Lillian Anderson (Sutherlin) by fall in 1:55 in the next round. Nairns scored 3.0 team points. - 6 PM 2 DAYS ONLY! 7 AM AY FRID THURSDAY, & & 21st March 20th TRUCKLOAD Spring MEAT SALE! *Premium Beef Boneless New York! $5.99 Lb w/ Digital Coupon (Limit 1) *Big Buy Bacon 1lb Package $1.99 ea w/ Digital Coupon (Limit 2) Visit Us At marketfreshonline.com For More Details! - THOMSON SQUARE - INFORMATION BOOTH $3 Commemorative buttons for sale at the Th om- son Square Information Booth! Each button purchased gets you entered for a $100 Prize! All contributions go to the St. Patrick’s Day Planning Committee Fund. Burgers, Fries, Chili Cheese Fries, Nachos, Corn Dogs, Elephant Ears - @ Market Fresh - Schedule of Events - Since 1982 Wee Bit O’Irel and TACOS HOMETOWN 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM THURS - SAT Authentic Mexican Food - Burritos, Tacos, Enchiladas, Sopas, Fajitas, Tamales, Salads - @ Thomson Square Celebration POLYNESIAN GRILL 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM FRI - SAT Chicken on a stick. @Thomson Square UPPER PLACE CONCESSIONS 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM FRI - SAT Button Design by: Kylie Holden All American Burgers, Hot Dogs, Fries, Baskets, Elephant Ears. @ Thomson Square OLD TYME KETTLECORN 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM SAT Homemade kettle corn @ Thomson Square RESTAURANTS, BARS, CAFES GATEWAY CAFE MURRAY’S ESPRESSO BUCKNUM’S TAVERN DESPAIN PIZZA BROKEN SPOKE BAR & RESTAURANT - COLOR CODE - BLUE: ACTIVITIES & IRISH GAMES ORANGE: FOOD VENDORS & EVENTS GREEN: ENTERTAINMENT Registration forms for Irish Games available at www. heppnerchamber.com, at the Chamber offi ce, or at the Th omson Square Information Booth on the day-of the event. 188 W. Willow Street PO BOX 1232 Heppner, OR 97836 PUBLIC RESTROOMS 541-676-5536 heppnerchamber@gmail.com THOMSON SQUARE FOOD COURT LES SCHWAB TIRES CITY OF HEPPNER PARKS THURSDAY March 13, 2025 st. patrick’s day trivia night Fundraiser for Heppner Daycare. Raffl e & Team Prizes. Full Bar by Bucknum’s Tavern, Two Dads Tipsy Trivia. Gilliam & Bisbee. 6:00 PM ST. PADDY’S VENDOR MARKET City Hall. 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM O’DUCKY RACE Ducks for sale at Bucknum’s. Sponsored by HHS Softball. Race starts at 2:00 PM behind Dollar General. 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM IRISH COFFEE HOUR -FRIDAY March 14, 2025 Heppner, Oregon March 13 - 16th, 2025 caed mile failte One Hundred Thousand Welcomes the great green parade Main Street - 1:00 PM OPEN HOUSE AT THE HUB 188 W Willow St. Live Entertainment by Boarding House (Doherty Family Band). Art activity at Art Center. Open to public. 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM Elks Club featuring “Whiskey for Breakfast”. Grand Marshal Introduction - Greenup Family. THE AMAZING BUBBLE MAN 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM Gilliam & Bisbee. FREE admission, family friendly. 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM ST. PADDY’S VENDOR MARKET City Hall. 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM SHAMROCK SHENANIGANS OLD TIME FIDDLERS HERITAGE & AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM Open to the public . 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM In atable fun, crafts & activities for kids on Willow Street. Hosted by Sage Garden Preschool. FREE. 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM FACE PAINTING KIDS’ MOVIE NIGHT CHILDREN’S RODEO & 4D Jackpot to follow Morrow County Fairgrounds. FREE. 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Face Painting. Hair I Am. FREE. 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM 3-ON-3 BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT cotton candy High School Gym. Sponsored by HHS Boys Basketball. 3:00 PM LUCKY LEPRECHAUN KID NIGHT Games, Crafts, Dinner. Sage Garden Preschool. Free for kids 1-12 yrs . 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM murray’s beer & blarney & a wee bit o’ wine HUB on Willow Street. 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM SATURDAY MARCH 15, 2025 Bank of Eastern Oregon. 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM WELLY TOSS Willow Street. Team & Indiviual. FREE. 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM cruz-in car show St. Patrick’s Apartments Dining Room. FREE Admission, family friendly. 2:30 PM - 5:00 PM Gilliam & Bisbee hosted by the HJSHS Cheerleaders. Snacks provided. FREE. 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM ELKS LODGE elks irish buffet dinner Elks Lodge. 5:00 PM live irish music by irish sensation, sina theil. 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Willow Street. 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM live music by joe linsday . 8:00 PM GOLDEN NUGGET TREASURE HUNT wee hours of the morning breakfast Willow Street Hub. FREE!!! 9:00 PM - 1:00 PM Main Street. Find a nugget, win a prize at Thomson Square Info Booth. FREE. 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM HERITAGE & AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM SUNDAY MARCH 16, 2025 SATURDAY O’BRUNCH - Open to the public. 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM St. Patrick’s Senior Center. Sponsored by HJSHS Technology Student Association. 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM LEPRECHAUN RUN FREE SUNDAY O’BRUNCH EWE-DO-BINGO Heppner Library. Grades K-6. FREE. Register at 11:00 AM. Bank of Eastern Oregon parking lot. Hosted by Critters with Attitude 4-H Club. 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM St. Patrick’s Senior Apartments Dining Hall. FREE. 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM BED RACE remembrance walk & 5k run O’PLANKY TEAM RELAY United Methodist Church. Register/social hour at 8:30 AM. Walk at 9:30 AM Teams meet at Shamrock following Bed Race. FREE. 11:30 AM Main Street Shamrock. FREE. 11:15 AM ROAD BOWLING Balm Fork Road. Sign up at Thomson Square Information Booth. Meet at 12:45 PM, park on Balm Fork Road. Start at 1:00 PM.
