Drew Dawson moves up from 3A to 6A — and wins a state title for Roseburg: Oregon wrestling 106/100 big-school roundup

“It’s just wrestling at the end of the day. But you’ve got to win at all levels.”

A year ago, Drew Dawson exited Portland’s Veterans Memorial Coliseum a third-place finisher for Glide in the Class 3A wrestling state tournament. 

Saturday night, Dawson arrived at the Coliseum wearing Roseburg orange after transferring to the southern Oregon wrestling powerhouse, and the sophomore departed wearing a gold medal after winning the 6A 106-pound title at the OSAA state championships. 

“It’s just wrestling at the end of the day,” Dawson said after his 7-0 decision over Clackamas’ Caleb Enoch in the final. “But you’ve got to win at all levels. So, I won here. It feels good.”

Dawson’s workmanlike performance was reminiscent of his victory a month earlier at the Reser’s Tournament of Champions, where he gave up just two points en route to the title.

This weekend, he pinned his way to the final — all in the first 92 seconds of his four matches — before becoming the latest Roseburg state champion.

“It just feels like an honor,” Dawson said. “We work hard in practice every day, so it pays off at the end of the day.”

6A/5A Girls: After finishing second at each of her first two state meets, McKay junior Sarahi Chavez made sure that fate would not befall her this time, scoring an early takedown of Thurston’s Rubie Winterburn before pinning her in 64 seconds of their 100-pound final.

“I have no words,” Chavez said. “I knew this year was my year. No more seconds. No more. Just wrestle how I know how to wrestle. Just go with my heart.”

5A: Mountain View sophomore Aiden Nelmes toppled top seed Michael Salas Sanchez of Thurston 9-7 to win his first title.

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Meet the champions: Class 6A | Class 5A | Class 4A | Class 3A | Class 2A/1A | Class 6A/5A Girls | Class 4A/3A/2A/1A Girls

Vote for best wrestler: Class 6A | Class 5A | Class 4A | Class 3A | Class 2A/1A | Class 6A/5A Girls | Class 4A/3A/2A/1A Girls

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

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

COMPLETE COVERAGE OF 2024 OSAA WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Photos by Taylor Balkom