Vikings post a split decision at OWC Duals

Siuslaw coach Neil Wartnik

Siuslaw wrestling coach Neil Wartnik saw his Vikings win two and lose two Thursday in the Oregon West Conference Duals at Newport.

But most of all he saw his athletes perform in the manner he preaches.

"I'm so proud of our guys," Wartnik said. "They exhibit such outstanding sportsmanship, they try, and they care. Some of them have experienced a lot of adversity.

"It is tough when you lose all the time. Yet they keep working hard. Our top kids continue to have a lot of success."

Thursday, the Vikings beat Stayton 51-24 and host Newport 55-12. The losses were to Class 4A powerhouses, No. 2-ranked Sweet Home, 69-6, and to No. 5 Cascade, 45-30.

The rankings are from the latest OSAAtoday coaches poll, released Wednesday.

"The day was a mixed bag," Wartnik said on Thursday's meet. "We endured a number of disappointing losses and relished a number of exciting wins.

"We knew Sweet Home was exceptional — and they were. We know what we need to work on to improve."

Siuslaw competes today and tomorrow in the OSAA Southern Division State Regional at Thurston High School in Springfield.

Two Lady Vikings are entered —Bailey Overton at 120 and Hayden Muller at 135.

Muller is seeded No. 4 among 20 wrestlers in her weight class. Overton is unseeded.

Siuslaw hosts No. 8-ranked Philomath in a dual meet at 6 p.m. Thursday at Glenn Butler Court.

Regionals for the boys is Feb. 21-22 at Stayton, with the state tournament Feb. 28-29 in Portland.