By Randy Parks
Burns Times-Herald

The Burns Hilander wrestling team placed sixth at the Reser’s Tournament of Champions held Friday and Saturday, Jan. 25-26, in Hillsboro.
The tournament featured 23 of the top wrestling teams in the state from all classes, 1A-6A.

Joe Drinkwater was the lone Hilander to earn an individual championship as he placed first in the 152 pound weight class. Drinkwater got an escape in the third period to decision Mitch Sturdevant of Newberg 1-0 in the title match.

In his first match of the tournament, Drinkwater beat Sam Hartley of Redmond 14-2. He pinned Zack Reser of Westview (3:58) in his second match and then advanced to the finals with a 7-0 win over Brock Halter of Glide.

Also placing for Burns were Josh Cate, who took third at 140 pounds, Mike Schaff, fourth at 135 pounds, Patrick Stampke, fifth at 119 pounds and Brendan Palmer, sixth at 125 pounds.

In the JV tournament, the Hilanders’ Chance Peasley placed second at 119 pounds and Raymond Wright finished fifth at 140 pounds.
Newberg won the team title with 193 points. Newberg placed five wrestlers in the finals and had two individual champions.

Final team standings are as follows:
1. Newberg 193.0, 2. Hermiston 142.5, 3. Canby 139.0, 4. Roseburg 130.0, 5. Crook County 127.0, 6. Burns 94.5, 7. Sprague 91.5, 8. Culver 88.5, 9. West Salem 84.0, 10. Hillsboro 79.0, 11. Cleveland 76.5, 12. Crater 71.5, 13. Oregon City 71.0, 14. Grants Pass 66.0, 15. Tillamook 66.0, 16. Redmond 65.5, 17.

Thurston 65.0, 18. Scappoose 63.5, 19. Glide 55.5, 20. Gresham 51.0, 21. Westview 42.0, 22. Glencoe 27.5, 23. West Linn 17.0