By Jeremy McDonald

jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com

SALEM, Ore.–Sprague’s Riley Davis had quickly made his way to the 170-pound Mountain Valley Conference Semi-finals following his 15 second pin of Mountain View’s Nicholas Presleigh Friday afternoon at West Salem High School.

Ironically the Olympian Junior had only spent 51 seconds on the mats on Day 1 of the MVC District Wrestling meet, picking up a 36 second pin on Bend’s Nolan Knapp in his first match of the day as Davis enters ranked first in the weight after winning the 138-pound District Title two years ago over in Bend.

“I just used my quickness to get him down, get behind and work the stuff I’m good at and I got the fall,” Davis said of his pin of Presleigh.  “(Today) feels pretty good and I feel confident .  I’m confident that I’ll be undefeated as well.  Just don’t get too confident because everyone who puts on a singlet has a chance and just be ready.”

Brayden Boyd (120), Andrey Cernev (126), Bo Davis (132), Seth Carp (138), Sullivan Puckett (145), Josh Camillo (152), Brook Byers (182), Elijah Kercher (182), Nico Fox (195), David Sherman (220) and Cole Steketee (285) all join Davis in their respective bracket Semi-finals entering Saturday’s finale.

McKay has six wrestlers also in the semi-finals in Ismael Flores (120), Garet Flores (132), Gavin Harris (195), Juan Chavez (220) and Jayden Valentine (285) alongside Rubio at 160 pounds.  Rubio looks to join brothers Andy and David in being District Champions following his two pins Friday to reach his bracket’s semi-finals Saturday morning.  Pinning West Salem’s Max Tippets in 1:47 and Caldera’s Felix Ramirez in 2:35.after getting a late start to his senior season.

“Me and my coaches, we’ve been working a lot on riding and me holding down the kids and being able to turn and pin, it’s been a great thing for us,” described Rubio.  “We’ve been working crazy in the practice room and I think I’m getting it done.  I’m just trusting and believing in my ability to win.  My coaches are there, I got a lot of support from my community and fellow McKay wrestlers.  It’s all about belief and I believe in myself a lot.”

Rubio is the second seed at 170.

McNary currently has eight in the semi-final round.  West Salem has four in the semi-finals, including top-seed Conor Everretts at 113, while South Salem has four going to the finals in Alex Decrozuic (195), Gabe Osorio (182), Anton Chacon (160) and Aundre Chacon (113).

Currently Mountain View leads Sprague 155.5 to 138.5 going into Saturday’s matches.  Action starts at 10am at West Salem High School.

Photos By Jeremy McDonald