Four members of the Class 6A No. 5 ranked Charles Page High School wrestling team won their quarterfinal matches at the OSSAA State Tournament Friday morning. Five others will head to the consolation bracket at Oklahoma City’s Jim Norick Arena Friday evening at 6:00 p.m.
106-pound freshman Carter Young (38-1) came out hard and fast against Deer Creek sophomore Jason Gilbert (28-12), scoring a pair of takedowns and nearfall points for a 9-2 first period lead. He added another takedown early in the second before pinning his foe in 2:37. In the semifinals he will take on Mustang freshman Keegan Luton (33-8), who he previously defeated 16-1 at Dual State.
Defending State Champion Riley Weir (27-7, 89-25) easily handled Shawnee junior Caleb Nahmahpeah (27-8) at 113, taking a 4-1 lead before pinning his opponent in 59 seconds. He will wrestle Bartlesville junior Corwin Strachan (38-9) in the semis, and is 2-0 with two decisions against the Bruin this year.
145 sophomore Chris Kirby (21-8) gave up a quick takedown and nearfall points to Edmond North senior Anthony DesVigne (33-17) for a 5-0 deficit. He started the second period on top and scored three with a headlock, but gave up a reversal soon after. Trailing 7-3, he flipped the script for a pin in 3:53. The Sandite will meet Yukon senior Jaxen Gilmore (37-3) in the semifinals.
152 junior Kaleb Tabor (25-11) wasted no time against Yukon sophomore Landis Scoon, taking a 5-0 lead with nearfall points before pinning the Miller in 1:34. In the semifinals he will meet Owasso sophomore Richie Lee (23-7) who he previously defeated 6-3 earlier this season.
120 sophomore Seth Jones (26-15, 28-18) went scoreless through the first period against Edmond Memorial sophomore Garrett Johnson (14-7) and they tied 2-2 after the second, Johnson with a takedown and Jones with a pair of escapes. Johnson cut loose and scored for a third period lead. Jones got one more escape, but Johnson scored and rode it out for a 7-4 decision. He will wrestle Union senior CaRon Watson (26-15) in consolation. Jones is 3-1 against Watson this year, losing their first match 8-5, but winning the last three.
126 senior Blake Sargent (13-8, 102-33) fell to Broken Arrow junior Reese Witcraft (34-6). Witcraft scored two takedowns in the first period, one in the second, and two in the third for a 12-3 major decision. He will wrestle Muskogee senior Kyri Beasley (31-7) in consolation. Beasley defeated the Sandite 4-2 in overtime at Regionals.
132 junior Irwin Portillo (30-18, 36-23) gave up a takedown to Edmond North senior Trent Higginbotham (33-11) with ten seconds left in the first. Higginbotham rode out the second period and escaped to start the third. Portillo got a takedown midway through the final stanza, cut his opponent loose, but was unable to score again and fell 4-2. In consolation he will take on Southmoore sophomore Roarke Simpson (25-11). The two haven’t met this season, but Portillo won a 7-4 decision in 2016.
138 junior Scott Patton (27-19, 34-21) trailed Edmond Memorial junior Pete Rolle (27-6) 4-2 to start the third period on top and gave up an escape and a takedown for a 7-2 decision. He will wrestle Deer Creek junior Parker Wright (28-14) in consolation.
220 senior Gage Fain (20-9, 59-47) went scoreless through most of the first period before Edmond North junior Blake Minnick (36-11) scored a takedown and back points with fifteen seconds left. The two exchanged escapes and started the third period neutral, where Minnick took him to the mat once again. Fain escaped and got a takedown of his own, but Minnick got loose and maintained a 12-4 major decision. Fain will wrestle Jenks junior Jared Galli (24-14) in consolation. He has previously pinned Galli twice this season.
The Sandites are the defending State Champions, but returned only one of their last season’s five individual champions. They are currently third with sixteen team points behind Broken Arrow (26.5) and Choctaw (26). The semifinals will begin Friday at 8:15 p.m. Consolation semis and finals will go from 10:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. on Saturday, followed by Championship finals at 5:45 p.m.
