Elliott learns from title match loss

Camas High School senior Bryant Elliott pushed Tommy Strassenberg to the brink, but the Union Titan held on for a 5-3 victory in the boys 145-pound Clark County Championship match Saturday, at Prairie High School.

Elliott was a man of few words as he simmered alone in the corner, but he made them count.

“Expect better, because Camas is coming,” he said. “This is only going to make us more hungry.”

Elliott still earned second place for his effort, and helped the Papermakers solidify fifth place in the team standings. Michael Strickland, Ryan Kay and Rylan Thompson finished with fourth-place medals. Max Grimes, Samuel Malychewski and Dylan Ingram grabbed fifth place. Tanner Howington took sixth place.

Strassenberg finished in fourth place in the 138-pound bracket at state in 2014. Elliott took fifth in state at 132 pounds. This is the first time the two wrestlers from rival high schools clashed.

“I’ve been wanting to wrestle him for a long time,” Elliott said. “I just got to close the gap and condition better.”

The Camas girls wrestling team earned fifth place at Clark County. Sydney Burress and Kira Heflin gained third-place medals. Elizaveta Foat, Bailee Thompson and Samantha Flannery secured fourth place.

The Papermakers travel to a tournament at Lakes High School, of Lakewood, Saturday. Camas hosts Skyview Wednesday, Jan. 28, and the district tournament Saturday, Feb. 8.