Vikings Muller, Overton gain regional semis

The growth in girls wrestling in Oregon was on display Friday, the opening day of regionals at Thurston. (OSAA photo)

Siuslaw sophomores Hayden Muller and Bailey Overton are each one win away from a berth in the girls state wrestling championships.

Muller advanced to the semifinals at 135 pounds and Overton at 120 Friday in the Oregon School Activities Association Southern Divisional Regionals at Thurston High School in Springfield.

Muller and Overton punch their tickets to state with a win in the championship semifinals. A loss would drop either into the consolation semifinals, where a win would assure a fourth-place finish.

The top four in each of the 14 weight classes qualify for state.

Muller pinned Reedsport junior Divinity Farris in 3 minutes, 24 seconds in the quarterfinals.

Earlier, Muller pinned Thurston senior Asha Orlinsla in 31 seconds in the first round and Newport senior Kaeden Fletcher-Vog in 1:15 in the second round.

Muller will wrestle Bend junior Charli Stewart, a 2019 state champion at 120 pounds, in Saturday's championship semifinals. Stewart won her two matches Friday by pins of 12 seconds and 31 seconds.

Overton pinned North Bend junior Molly Picatti in 5:16 in the quarterfinals.

Earlier, Overton won by forfeit in the first round and pinned Grants Pass freshman Morgan Edwards in 4:30 in the second round.

Overton will wrestle Thurston junior Cailee Hallet in the semifinals. Hallet, 24-1 for the season, had pins of 24 seconds, 52 seconds and 35 seconds to gain the semis.

Four wrestlers in each of 14 weight classes qualify for state, along with the same number from the Northern Division.

Both the girls and boys championships are Friday and Saturday, Feb. 28-29, at Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Portland.