‘The climb in girls wresting is unbelievable.’ La Pine edges Sweet Home, Baker/Powder Valley in down-to-the-wire 4A/3A/2A/1A race

“Each one of those girls helped contribute to the title. Without one of their wins, we wouldn’t have won the team title.”

By René Ferrán  

Senior Kira Kerr’s final match in a La Pine singlet had lasting significance beyond the 26 seconds she was on the mat. 

Kerr’s second state title in the 155-pound final provided the clinching points for the Hawks’ first girls wrestling championship Friday night at Portland’s Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

La Pine finished with 77 points in the Class 4A/3A/2A/1A meet, beating Baker/Powder Valley and Sweet Home by six points apiece in the first year that the state’s smaller classifications held a separate championship event. 

“It is more meaningful than winning an individual title,” said Kerr, who was named the meet’s outstanding wrestler as one of four finalists who spearheaded the Hawks’ championship run. 

Freshman Jade Seymour (125), senior Julietta Leal (130) and junior Riley Allison (145) also wrestled for titles Friday, and junior Cortanie Henry (100) came within one win of making the podium. 

“Each one of those girls helped contribute to the title,” Kerr said. “Without one of their wins, we wouldn’t have won the team title, so each of us contributed to that. People coming through the back door, all the girls in the finals, everything mattered. They put their heart and soul into that.” 

The Hawks finished in a tie for fourth at the inaugural girls meet in 2019 and were seventh last season — one spot ahead of Sweet Home (which was second at the OWA state meet in 2021) and miles ahead of Baker/Powder Valley, which failed to score a point.

La Grande, which finished fourth, moved up from 44th at the final all-classification meet last year.

“It’s just unbelievable how many girls are competing at a high level now,” said La Pine coach Aaron Flack, whose teams swept the 3A boys and small-school girls titles. “The climb in girls wresting right now, and for us to be a part of it, is unbelievable.” 

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Meet the champions: Class 4A | Class 3A | Class 2A/1A | Class 4A/3A/2A/1A Girls

Photos from 4A, 3A, 2A/1A, 4A/3A/2A/1A Girls state championship matches

Wrestlers to watch at state: Freshmen | Sophomores | Juniors | Seniors

Previewing the state meets: 6A | 5A | 4A | 3A | 2A/1A | 6A/5A Girls | 4A/3A/2A/1A Girls

Recapping the district meets: 6A | 5A | 4A | 3A | 2A/1A | Girls

COMPLETE COVERAGE OF 2023 OSAA WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS