By Jacob Graves
Sports Editor

Clackamas Community College’s wrestling team set their sights on a NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association) national championship berth at North Idaho College in Coeur D’alene, Idaho, in which they won the Region 18 Championship series on Feb. 9. 

The Cougars hold their hardware high, celebrating as regional champs. Photo from @cccwrestling on Instagram.

Brett Sanchez, winner of the NJCAA Regional 18 Coach of the Year award, led his team to have six individual regional champions and a total score of 120.5 to win the regional championship.

Standout CCC performers during championship matches include Julian Gorring, who defeated Chandler Thompson of Snow College 7-1, and Gavin Bauder, pinning Simon Cervantes of Big Bend in 3:35. 

In third-place matches, Josh Hannan and Kyle Robbins of Clackamas pinned their opponents in 2:56 and 0:56 minutes, respectively. 

In the regular season, the wrestling team posted an overall record of 14-2. Following the regional championship victory, the Cougars will head on to Council Bluffs, Iowa, for the NCJAA Wrestling National Championship on March 7-8. 

“This season has been awesome,” Sanchez said. “We wrestled really well at a high level, and I would say our biggest highlight this season would be our consistency. We’ve been showing up every event, every open wrestling with our hearts, and coming home with some good wins underneath our belt, and getting some things that we could polish up and get ready for the next event.”

Brett Sanchez holds up his 2025 NJCAA coach of teh year award. Photo from @cccwrestling on Instagram

The team has also been dealing with the tragic death of wrestling commit Lee Mauras, who passed away on Oct. 6 at just 23 years old. 

“We have dedicated this season to our brother, Lee Mauras,” Sanchez said. “And these guys have just been wrestling their hearts out and understanding that he’s not here with us. So we’re putting on that singlet. We’re showing up every single day, trying to make the most out of these days, knowing that he would wish he’d be here with us doing what we’re doing.”

He added, “With everything that’s been going on, these guys have been doing a great job just putting their work boots on every week and getting the most out of these days.”

The Cougars have been fighting through various challenges to get through this season as well. 

“We’ve had a lot of diversity throughout the year, especially the first half of the season,” said Sanchez. “We didn’t have our lineup set yet. Some guys had to drop to a certain weight class, some guys had health issues, and some had a little bit of eligibility issues transferring in here as well. Despite this, these guys still stepped up to the line and made sure that they were doing their job and won those matches. That right there solidified that we do have the resiliency to overcome those obstacles.”

Sanchez has high hopes for the future.

“We’re winning a national championship,” he said. “We’re winning this year just from all of the stuff we’ve been through, and honestly, we’re more than a team. We look at each other as a family, a bunch of brothers, and we’re checking all the boxes to put ourselves in a great position to win.”

Freshman wrestler Gavin Bauder said the team’s training is paying off.

Gavin Bauder remains focused mid-match. Photo from @gbauder_ on Instagram

“The most notable accomplishments that the team achieved was getting second at National Duals because it showed where we are as a team and what we can work on to ultimately get to the top,” said Bauder. “I personally think we are peaking at the right time and are looking to bring home a national championship in March because we prepare better than everyone else and are bringing some hitters.”

Sophomore wrestler Cesar Avelar spoke proudly about his team and what they have accomplished this season. 

Cesar Avelar putting in the work during practice. Photo by Evan Tichenor.

“As a team, some of our biggest achievements this season were placing second at National Duals and winning our region. On top of that, our head coach was named Coach of the Year, which was huge for the program.” said Avelar. “Heading into nationals, the goal is simple–bring a title back to CCC. We’re locking in, staying disciplined, and making sure we’re peaking at the right time. Everyone’s pushing each other in the room, and we’re ready to show out and bring home what belongs to us.”

This Cougars wrestling squad is aiming for new heights, battling through adversity as it comes and striving for greatness along the way. As a national championship is in sight, this team is pushing for a chance to bring a title home after another successful season.