PORTLAND A team championship was just out of reach for Culver at the Class 2A-1A state wrestling championships, but Mark Coy brought home the Bulldogs’ first individual state championship in 12 years.

In scoring a major decision over Kyle Umbenhower of Dayton, Coy gave his team an edge over the Pirates in the race for the second-place trophy.

”He did more than just win it,” said Culver coach J.D. Alley. ”He got an extra point and scored a major decision.”

Culver finished second in the meet with 122 points.

Nyssa, with two state champions, won the team title with 135 points. Dayton followed in third place with 117.

The third time was a charm for Coy, who had placed fourth in the state tournament the past two years. He beat Umbenhower 15-5, executing seven takedowns in the match.

”I just wanted to wrestle smart,” said Coy. ”I didn’t want to give up any points. I wanted to set the tempo in the match.”

Coy lost several matches at midseason, but he persevered to turn his season around and win a district championship.

”I think it was better for me to lose those matches because it made me work harder,” he said. ”I knew it was my last year, and I didn’t want to settle for anything less than first.”

In the Class 3A meet, Chad McFarland of Madras, a four-time district champion and state qualifier, completed a quest of his own by beating Ian Dimmick of The Dalles 13-4 in the 130-pound finals.

McFarland had beaten Dimmick twice this year, including an overtime win at the Tri-Valley League district championships.

”When he shot, I’d reshoot and get a takedown,” said McFarland. ”It feels awesome. Thank God he was with me in that match.”

Culver freshman James Moyses, who first started wrestling in November, placed second at 103 pounds. He lost by fall to Monte Nicholes of Nyssa in the finals.

”I was wishing to get first place,” said Moyses. ”I tried never to give up a point and I tried to give it my all. It makes me want to come back next year and do this all again.”

”The best thing about him is he never wrestled until November,” said Alley of Moyses. ”I think he’s got it going on upstairs. You have to have people who want to be champions.”

Culver placed several wrestlers in consolation rounds: John Urbach, third at 140 pounds; Junior Baltazar, fourth at 119; Lance Roberts, fourth at 189; Ross McWilliams, fourth at 215; and Travis Kinley, fifth at 125.

Earlier in the day, Darrin Kerr of La Pine defeated Clint Johnston of Burns 11-4 for fifth place at 135 pounds in the 3A tournament.

”The adrenaline was just pumping,” said Kerr, who wrestled an aggressive match against Johnston. ”I was disappointed after my last match. I had to go out a winner.”

Kerr lost in the sixth round to Chris Glore of Junction City. Kerr had beaten Glore at the Sky-Em League district meet.

Burns won the Class 3A team title with 181 points.