State Prep Wrestling Venues Change, Dec. 23

OSAA release – The OSAA wrestling championships will have a much different look this season. Instead of taking place at Veterans Memorial Coliseum, its longtime home, the tournaments will be split into separate high school venues: Sandy (6A), Ridgeview (5A), Cascade (4A), La Pine (3A) and Culver (2A/1A, girls). The OSAA executive board decided to make the change due to the Coliseum enforcing COVID restrictions for spectators and participants.  “It’s a bummer, but at the same time, I think it can be a quality experience for kids,” OSAA assistant executive director Brad Garrett said. “You’re really highlighted at a single venue like that, on four mats.” The executive board opted for separate tournaments after reviewing information provided by the OSAA staff. Garrett worked closely with Culver coach J.D. Alley – the wrestling representative from the Oregon Athletic Coaches Association – to formulate the alternative plan. All of the boys tournaments will be single-day events on Saturday, Feb. 26, except for 6A, which will be a two-day event either Feb. 25-26 or Feb. 26-27. The girls tournament is set for Feb. 24. It will mark the first time the state tournaments will be at a venue other than the Coliseum since 2007, the end of a three-year run at the State Fairgrounds Pavilion in Salem.