April 28 - Cottage Grove's wrestling club rejoiced in some success this past weekend at the Oregon Wrestling Association Freestyle and Greco State championship tournaments.

Freestyle and Greco wrestling are the Olympic version of wrestling and not the same styles athletes compete in during the winter. The dedication the students have put in during the off season is inspiring and coaches are very glad to see their hard work pay off.

Community members took the time travel down to support our local kids, and Cottage Grove had several top finishers in both styles.

Seventeen, 6U-Junior Cottage Grove wrestlers competed over the weekend, Friday through Sunday April 21-23, in the statewide competition. OWA state is unique in that all schools and clubs compete together and a single state champion in each weight/age group is crowned.

The results were as follows; Five CG wrestlers brought home State Championship Plaques; Nayelli Romero 6U -41 lbs., David Craig 6U-70 lbs., George Howard 10U-67 lbs., Jeffrey Conklin 14U -125 lbs., and Izel Tavallai Junior girls 100 lbs. 

The kids in competition are extremely dedicated competing and placing at national tournaments. Cottage Grove students are setting the stage for a great high school program.

Athlete of the week:

Nayelli Romero achieved the rare trifecta in the OWA. Romero was the 6U co-Ed state champ in all three wrestling styles, Folkstyle, Freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling.