Bruins open wrestling season at Estacada

Columbia had two other placers (each in sixth place): Levi Wamsley at 126, and Matthias Posini at 285. Wamsley lost by fall in the first round, but he bounced back with back-to-back wins in the consolation rounds, including a 2-1 decision over Tristan Huitt of Molalla. Huitt wrestled at the Oregon 4A state meet a year ago. Posini won by fall in his first match before losing in the quarterfinal to Kenai Huff of La Grande. Huff was the Oregon Class 4A state runner-up this past season at 220 pounds as a sophomore. Posini recovered to win three matches to close out his tournament.

Columbia’s Robert Grabb IV won one of his three wrestled matches at Estacada by first-round pin at 126 pounds. Columbia’s Humberto Pulido won one match by medical forfeit at 175 pounds. He had a tough draw in the bracket where he was pitted against Isaac Chromey of LaCenter in the first round. Chromey, the fourth-place finisher at the WIAA 1A state tourney in 2023, won by fall against the Bruin grappler. Liam Cox of Columbia had arguably the toughest first-round draw, facing defending WIAA 4A state champion Jon Schoenlein of the Ranger Classic team champ Skyview. Schoenlein beat Cox by fall en route to his title at 175 pounds.

Columbia’s Landon Castilla, at 190, didn’t place but he won twice at the Classic. Castilla split his four wrestled matches, earning wins by fall in the first round and in his first consolation match. His title run ended in the quarterfinals, where he lost by first-round fall to Isaac Gill of Washougal.

Muehlbauer ended Gill’s run at Estacada by pinning him in the 190 final. The Columbia High standout, who won 41 matches in the 2022-23 season, also won with pins at Estacada against Noah Hughes of the host team and Julian Morehouse of The Dalles. Muehlbauer was fifth in the WIAA 1A state meet last season.