West Linn beats Oregon City 63-15 at wrestling senior night, continuing on the path to state title
By Wesley Gilbert, West Linn High School
•
February 5, 2026
Wesley Gilbert
As the seniors line up with their families, they wear cowboy hats to commemorate the life of Lucas Gray, a West Linn class of 2025 alumnus and wrestler who passed away in 2025.
The West Linn and Oregon City rivalry is one steeped with history and energy, with the annual football game having been played for over 100 years, and is considered to be the “longest continuously played high school football rivalry west of the Mississippi River.” On Jan. 22, the rivalry continued through the high schools’ wrestling teams. West Linn won the battle of the bridge 63-15, continuing on the path to a state championship. This duel was also senior night for Lions in the class of 2026, meaning it was their last tournament in their home gym. This led to many matches full of emotion for the top state-ranked Lions. West Linn hopes to carry this momentum into the end of the season and the state championship, which takes place on Feb. 26-28.
In loving memory. As the seniors line up with their families, they wear cowboy hats to commemorate the life of Lucas Gray, a West Linn class of 2025 alumnus and wrestler who passed away in 2025. Gray was a leader on the team and continues to be memorialized, recently being posthumously inducted into the West Linn High School Wrestling Hall of Fame in December 2025. Teammates and members of the wrestling community continue to carry on his legacy, including Max Bell, junior. “I always try to keep [Gray’s] work ethic when I wrestle,” Bell said. “He was always the first one back to the center after they went out of bounds. And also, [I try to] keep his humor alive, he was such a funny kid, you can’t forget that.” (Wesley Gilbert)Getting started. On senior night, celebrating the class of 2026, varsity wrestlers walk out as a team to a loud applause from the home audience. Former state champion and number one state-ranked Darion Johnson, sophomore, has learned how to deal with the pressure that comes just before matches. “I try to go blank a little bit and let instincts take over. I go out there and trust in my abilities,” Johnson said. (Wesley Gilbert)Ready, set, wrestle. To kick off the meet, Myli Montano, junior, wrestles her opponent. Montano was able to get a quick pin and secure the win for West Linn to help contribute to the team victory. Mark Krellwitz is the head women’s wrestling coach, while Kevin Keeney heads the men’s coaching staff. “West Linn has a lot of pride in their sports, and so we want to be successful, like all the other sports programs,” Keeney said. “So to us, [representing West Linn] means we’re doing our job right. We’re one of the top teams in the state. Our goal is to be the top team, the number one team in the state. And so we’re working towards that, and we’re going to keep working.” (Wesley Gilbert)Spreading love. After the dominant victory of Ryder Sprague, senior, who went into the night being ranked first in the state, a heart is signed to his friends and family in the crowd. Both emotions and the audience were loud as Sprague wrestled the last home meet of his high school career. “It means a lot to be able to get the win in such dominant fashion, one last time, in what I believe is the best home gym in the state,” Sprague said. “It’s pretty emotional to have been brought up in such a great program, and to finish, in such a good way.” (Wesley Gilbert)Standing ground. As Johnson wrestles his Pioneer opponent, a referee signals to the scorekeeper that points have been scored. Johnson helped lead the Lions to a commanding point lead throughout the meet, the final score being 63-15, West Linn. “It’s an honor [to represent West Linn],” Johnson said. “Not a lot of schools in the state of Oregon are as successful as West Linn, and it’s an honor to have this great coaching staff with great history, and so I am just proud.” (Wesley Gilbert)Sideline support. As the highest rank class of wrestlers in West Linn history cements their victory over cross-river rival Oregon City, Keeney coaches Liam Lander, junior, ringside. Keeney trains his wrestlers in a rigid routine to build discipline and technique. “We just try to get 1% better every day,” Keeney said. “And when the state tournament comes around, if that’s enough to give us the blue trophy, then we’re going to be proud of it. If it’s not enough, we’re going to give our full effort, and we’re going to be proud of that effort.” (Wesley Gilbert)Total takedown. Slamming down his opponent, Daly (fifth in state) leads the way to victory, pulling ahead in a dominant second round to win 17-1 by technical foul. Daly’s four years of wrestling with West Linn have taught him resilience and determination. “Don’t give up,” Daly said. “There’s lots of action in wrestling; you may lose, and sometimes it’s really tough, but it builds the mental feelings that you have to take with you.” (Wesley Gilbert)
On for West Linn. As the Lions pave the path to victory, a roaring student section cheers on Maclain Culp, senior. Culp entered the meet being ranked second in the state. “[In] my last time competing in the West Linn gymnasium, in front of all these great fans, my family, friends, and supporters, I was just feeling grateful, thankful, and enjoying the moment,” Culp said. (Wesley Gilbert)Pushing through. Number two state-ranked Timothy Hill, freshman, goes head-to-head with his opponent in a contested match. Oregon City got the upset in this match, being one of three weight classes they won at the meet. Underclassmen like Hill and Johnson look to carry on the legacy that upperclassmen leaders like Sprague and Culp have created. “[I have] taken away from [the upperclassmen’s] leadership skills,” Johnson said. “I mean, you got guys all over the place being a great leader, role model, and showing toughness. I’ve really learned [from them] how to command a room and lead by example.” (Wesley Gilbert)
In amazement. The sideline and Bell react excitedly as they cheer on teammate Tannen Skowhede, junior. “It was a really great atmosphere, and the team wrestled really well,” Bell said. (Wesley Gilbert)Fight lions fight. The wrestling team sings the West Linn fight song after their dominant victory. An emotional farewell for the seniors, the sport of wrestling has acted as a catalyst for athletes like Culp to form lifelong friendships. “I’m gonna miss these guys, man. This is my team, my family,” Culp said. (Wesley Gilbert)
This story was originally published on wlhsNOW on February 2, 2026.
![MORE THAN A GAME. With two diving catches in the outfield, the Lions showed up defensively, aiding in their victory over the Pacers. One catch was made by Atwood, and the other by McGraw. Throughout the game, the Lions knew that it wasn’t just about their victory today. “I think [playing for cancer] makes it bigger than just a game,” McGraw said. “Knowing that you have a bigger impact in this world than just who you are as one person.”](https://bestofsno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/I70A1454-1-1200x800.jpg)
