Crater, once the states dominant wrestling program, is in position to again assume the top spot in its classification, this time 5A, after the first round of the OSAA state tournament at Memorial Coliseum on Friday.

With 22 wrestlers, the Comets have the most entries in the tournament, and 14 got first-round wins Friday. Logan Meek, the defending champion at 145 pounds, led the way with a pinfall victory 32 seconds into his match against Cody Klient of Lebanon.

Angel Diaz (106), Zeth Brower (106), Hunter Grant (113), Tanner Ulrey (113), Hunter Hiatt (120), Dallas Howard (132), Nathan Santoni (138), Jace Godley (152), Markus Bennett (170), Tony Flores (182), James Pendelton (195), Beau Crawford (220) and Cameron Sweet (285) joined Meek in winning first-round matches for Crater.

The Comets have won eight state wrestling team championships, all at the Class 4A level, when that was the states biggest. The last came in 2006, when they won the last of four consecutive championships.

Sandy, which is looking for its state title, was in second place with 38 points, as 9 of its 16 wrestlers won in the first round. Hermiston, which won the last four titles, was in third place with 33 points, and Dallas was fourth with 30 points.

The standings figure to shift as consolation matches play out Friday afternoon, and especially after the quarterfinals, which are scheduled to start at 5:15 p.m.

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Crater takes early lead in 5A wrestling team race as Comets chase 9th state title - OregonLive.com