Newberg sophomore Zachary Keinonen rides momentum to second career wrestling title

“I was pretty confident because I’d rode him twice this year. But he’s a tough opponent. It was pretty tough.”

By René Ferrán | Photos by Taylor Balkom  

Two minutes.

Newberg sophomore Zachary Keinonen had to ride out McMinnville’s Chris Dillworth for two minutes in Sunday's 126-pound 6A wrestling final at Sandy High School to secure his second state title.

Keinonen scored an escape point after starting the second round in the down position and held a narrow 1-0 lead going to the final period.

If he could keep Dillworth from escaping for two minutes, the title would be his.  

“I was pretty confident because I’d rode him twice this year,” Keinonen said. “But he’s a tough opponent. It was pretty tough.”

Tough, but once again, doable. Keinonen kept Dillworth in his grasp the full two minutes, wrapping up a 42-4 season and moving halfway toward his goal of becoming a four-time champion.

“Let’s just say, from a physical standpoint, last year was hot. Hot, hot, hot,” Keinonen said, a big smile on his face remembering winning his first title in a sweltering Newberg gym in June. “It was a lot cooler, a lot nicer in this gym. It felt great to win it in here — bigger crowd, all the fans. It’s great.” 

Oregon 6A wrestling state tournament: Meet the champions, placewinners, top teams