Siuslaw Vikings wrestling coach Neil Wartnik has handed out high marks for his team's performances at Saturday's Nick Lutz Memorial Tournament at Siuslaw High School.

"To place fourth out of 18 teams on the boys side was a great accomplishment," Wartnik said. "Overall the team did a great job.

"Watching them work together while setting up and cleaning after the event brought great satisfaction. The coaching staff applauds them for their cooperation and positive attitudes."

The Vikings will compete in a dual match Tuesday at Philomath and in the Cottage Grove Invitational on Friday and Saturday.

Coach Wartnik's assessment of Saturday's team highlights:

"So many people commented on how well the tournament ran. This could not have happened without the invaluable support of countless volunteers. The level of wrestling was outstanding too. So many of the matches went down to the wire. There were numerous upsets throughout the day. The Siuslaw Viking team participated in a number of these. We came out on the upper hand several times.

"Matthew Horrillo had an amazing day, winning the 220 pound bracket. Seeded No. 4, he defeated the No. 1 seed from Sheldon in the semifinals, turning a 1-point deficit into a 1-point win with a takedown in the waning seconds of the match.  In the finals he pinned the Elmira opponent who had pinned him a week earlier at the Sky-Em duals.  His championship was impressive given that he defeated the second-, third- and fourth-place finishers in the tournament — a feat that is rare.

"Riley Jennings' performance at 170 was also outstanding. He won a pair of challenging matches against strong competitors to get to the finals. In the finals he wrestled very well and held a lead into the closing seconds of the match. Unfortunately a penalty and last-second escape by his Cottage Grove opponent sent the match into overtime.  In overtime he was taken down to end the match. This match was one of the best matches of the tournament; unfortunately we came out on the losing end. Still, Riley handled himself with great composure.  His development over the season has been impressive.

"After a quarterfinal loss to an Elmira opponent, Brady Libby looked great in three consecutive wins to earn third place in the 120-pound bracket.

"After a disappointing opening-round loss, Elijah LaCosse looked great in four consecutive victories. He grew stronger over the course of the day to place third.  In the consolation final he earned an impressive win over the first seed from South Medford.

"Hector Garcia also placed third after defeating a pair of tough opponents. His biggest win was a pin over a North Bend opponent in the consolation semifinals. His success as a first-year high school wrestler in the 160-pound weight class is rare, and his improvement has been rapid.

"Ryan Jennings won three matches on the day to place fifth in the 152-pound weight class. He is learning to wrestle well against challenging opponents.

"On the girls' side, Kinga Bugajska won a match to place second at 145, and Adriana Edwards won a pair of matches to place third at 130."

VIKINGS SCHEDULE

• Tuesday, Jan. 22 — Siuslaw at Philomath/Alsea, 6 p.m.
• Friday-Saturday, Jan. 25-26 — Cottage Grove Invitational, time to be announced
• Thursday, Jan. 31 — Siuslaw Senior Night Duals with South Eugene, South Umpqua, 5 p.m.
• Saturday, Feb. 2 — Siuslaw at OWC Duals, Philomath, 10 a.m.
• Friday-Saturday, Feb. 8-9 — Special District 2 Regional Championships, Junction City

VIKINGS ROSTER
Girls
Freshmen (2)

• Hayden Muller
• Bailey Overton

Sophomore (1)

• Adriana Edwards

Junior (1)

• Kinga Bugajska, exchange student from Poland

Boys
Freshmen (3)

• Rohn Butler
• John Corser
• JC Gentry

Sophomores (8)

• Hector Garcia
• Louis Gentry
• Zekiah Hunt
• Ryan Jennings
• Elijah LaCosse
• Brady Libby
• Christian Newlan
• Isaiah Seeley

Juniors (5)

• Antwan Ho
• Matthew Horrillo
• Pedro Infante
• Ricky Loza
• Logan York

Senior (1)

• Riley Jennings