Neil Wartnick grappling with how it will go


Siuslaw wrestling coach Neil Wartnick

Siuslaw Vikings wrestling coach Neil Wartnick still is trying to pin down some answers to this coming season.

"We are planning to start Monday," Wartnick said Tuesday, less than a week from the season's first practice. "What will that look like? What will we do for competitions?

"I'm still figuring that out."

More direction from the Oregon School Activities Association, the Oregon Health Authority and the governor would help.

Wartnick does know that the green light was given for Season 4, which runs May 10 to June 27.

There is a season to come, but with May 17 the first possible contest date, the Vikings have yet to schedule a match.

"It may well be that we are restricted to duals," Wartnick said. "We may need to hold competitions outside.

"It will be interesting to figure this all out. We are waiting for guidance."

NOTES

The Vikings are coming off a solid 2019-20 campaign, which included victories in their annual Nick Lutz Memorial Invitational and in the Sutherlin Invitational.

The 29 student-athletes listed on the roster included 12 freshmen, 7 sophomores, 6 juniors and 4 seniors.

Then-sophomores Hayden Muller and Bailey Overton qualified for the first girls state championships, with Muller finishing fourth place.

Six Vikings competed in the boys tournament, with then-junior Elijah LaCosse placing third at 138 pounds and the graduated Matthew Horrillo third at 285.

Then-freshman Mason Buss (120), then-junior Ryan Jennings (152), then-senior Luis Infante-Marquez (182) and then-junior Christian Newlan (220) did not place.

Siuslaw will compete in 4A Special District 2 with Cascade, Elmira/Crow, Newport, Philomath/Alsea, Stayton and Sweet Home. There are four 4A special district with eight teams each, 36 schools total, with eight schools competing in four co-ops.

No district or state championships have been announced, though all sports except football have come up with a plan.