La Grande's Kenai Huff, right, battles his way to a second-place finish at the OSAA Class 4A state wrestling championships on Feb. 23, 2024, at Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Portland.

PORTLAND — The La Grande boys wrestling team crowned three champions at the OSAA Class 4A state tournament on its way to a third-place team finish on Saturday, Feb. 23.

Kai Carson led the way claiming his third state title — this one at 132 pounds — at Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Portland. The senior showed his grit on the final day of the two-day tournament, downing teammate Mason Wolcott, 4-2, in the semifinals before wrapping up the title with a hard fought 2-1 decision over Crook County’s Alberto Flores.

“It was a scoreless first period and I rode him out in the second period,” said Carson of the championship match. “I got a reversal in the third period and gave up a stalling point but was able to get the win.

“This is gratifying because I had to battle some adversity this season, missing about half the season after having shoulder surgery.”

Both Carson and Flores ended their careers as four-time state placers. Carson had beaten Flores at the district meet by major decision the previous week.

Carson matched older brother, Braden, with the three individual state titles and will be back on the same mat with him next year as an Eastern Oregon University commit. He also was awarded the Tyrone S. Woods Scholarship at the state tournament for his wrestling achievement, academic success and community service.

“It was a goal of mine because Braden is the only three-time champ for La Grande and I wanted to join him in the club,” Carson said.

Wolcott was equally impressive earning major decisions without giving up a point in his first two matches to reach the semis at 132. He rebounded from his lone loss with a pin of St. Helens’ Evan Willis in 55 seconds to take third place.

“We were hoping Mason and Kai would be on opposite sides of the bracket, but it did not happen,” La Grande head coach Klel Carson said. “It was a tough thing for the kids, the coaches, our fans, but Mason is an amazing person and they were good with it and they continued to support each other.”

Tommy Belding, who finished third at 132 a year ago, was on a mission pinning his first two opponents in 23 seconds and 1:50 to dominate at 144. Belding handled Philomath’s Porter Compton 11-4 in the semifinals before recording his third pin of the state tournament in the finals, sticking Estacada’s Cohen Schleich in 5:41.

“It means a lot because it was a goal from the beginning of the season,” Belding said. “I think my training helps me expect to win and perform at a high level.”

Ridge Kehr followed suit at 165 by pinning his way to the finals. Kehr earned a 10-2 major decision over Pendleton’s Aidan Perkins in the championship match. He began his run with two quick pins in 18 seconds and 3:07 before sticking Sweet Home’s Ryker Hartsook in 5:43 in the semifinals.

“I am so happy right now because I have been working for it since eighth grade,” he said. “It was all mental this year and I have been feeling good all year because we put in the work in the practice room.”

La Grande came into state having won three of the past four state crowns and finished third with 196.5 points. Sweet Home claimed the crown with 285 points and Crook County was the runner-up with 230.5.

“When we went into Day 2, Cascade was only six points behind us and they only give four trophies,” Klel Carson said. “Any trophy is a good trophy and everyone played a part in that.”

The Tigers also flex their muscle at the two heaviest weights as Dex Dunlap and Kenai Huff piled up wins at 215 and 285, respectively. Huff was the runner-up at 215 a season ago and took second at heavyweight falling to Astoria’s Matthew Evans by pin. Dunlap took fourth.

“Dex went out on the first day of the tournament and beat the kid who was ranked No. 1 all year, and we just had kids win some matches they weren’t expected to, so it was a fun tournament,” Klel Carson said.

Bragen Anderson used a pair of pins to reach the finals at 106, but Sweet Home’s Jesse Landtroop earned the 6-2 win.

Preston Westenskow suffered a quarterfinal loss to Astoria’s Henry Davis at 175 by major decision but proved his mettle in the consolation bracket with a pair of pins and a decision to reach the third-place match. Westenskow would take third with his fourth pin of the tournament, downing St. Helens’ Austin Stockwell in 2:16.

“We call Preston ‘Alpha Wolf’ and he wrestled back for third,” Carson said. “I am so proud of him for doing that.”