Panthers 7th, Haney RHS' 19th State Champion

Sophomore Ryan Haney finished at the top of the podium at this weekend’s OSAA State Wrestling tournament.  Haney capped a successful Panther wrestling season winning the title at 103 lbs and helping RHS finish in the top ten at the state tournament for the seventh time in the last eight years.  The team overall finished in Seventh place, several ahead of their state ranking.  Other state placers for the Panthers were Sean Soliz, 4^th, 135 lbs; Levi Brinkley, 5^th, 119 lbs; Chance Lindquist, 6^th, 119 lbs; Duel Christiansen, 6^th 119 lbs; David Peebles, 8^th, 125 lbs.

Haney defeated returning state champion Josh Johnson of Forest Grove.  After giving up an early takedown, Ryan was able to get an escape in the first period and again at the beginning of the 2^nd round before taking Johnson down to take a 4-2 lead.  Johnson escaped at the end of the 2^nd to make the score 4-3 with Johnson having his choice in the third period.  After a series of scrambles and Ryan very nearly putting Johnson on his back, the clock ran down to zero giving Ryan the 2010 State Championship.  Ryan is now a two-time state placer and the 19^th State Champion in RHS history.

Senior Sean Soliz finished his career as a Panther as a four-time State placer which puts him into very elite company.  First time placers for the Panthers were Senior Duel Christiansen, Junior Levi Brinkley, Sophomore David Peebles and Freshman Chance Lindquist.  Duel had to defeat the #3 ranked Rory Oliver of Newburg in triple overtime to earn a top 8 finish.  The Panthers will return five state qualifiers and four state placers next year.