DeHart leads CHS wrestlers at HR tourney

WHITE SALMON — Columbia High’s Titus DeHart finished third at 106 pounds to lead the Bruin boys wrestlers at the Jan. 31, 16-team Hood River Memorial Tournament at Hood River Valley High School.

DeHart won his first two matches before losing in the semifinals to eventual runner-up Preston Ruettgers of Redmond High. The Columbia wrestler bounced back in the third-place match to pin Brody Mintie of Century High.

DeHart’s teammate, Giovanni Ruiz, won two matches and finished sixth at 132 pounds. One of Ruiz’s losses was to Class 6A Oregon state tourney wrestler Gage Aldridge of Oregon City who finished fourth.

Columbia’s Wyatt Pulido did not place, but he did earn three wins in a tough 126-pound bracket. Columbia placed 15th in the tournament. His two losses were to 5A wrestlers from Oregon: the eventual runner-up Copeland Louis of Hood River, and Ragen Jensen of Redmond.