Santiam Christian Wrestling 2025 Season Recap: A Historic Year of Growth, Grit, and Glory
For Santiam Christian Wrestling, the 2025 winter season was nothing short of extraordinary. Under the guidance of Head Coach Justin Doyle, the team didn’t just grow — it rewrote the school’s history books. From state finalists to breakthrough leaders, from sickness-defying efforts to record-breaking performances, this season embodied the heart of high school athletics: perseverance, leadership, and a drive to build something lasting.
Senior Leadership Powers Record-Breaking Success
The 2025 wrestling campaign will be remembered as the most successful in Santiam Christian history, and much of that success can be attributed to the leadership and performance of the senior class.
Spearheading the charge were Kamran and Jeremy Ness, twin brothers who dominated on the mat and in the stat book. As the team’s top scorers in points, takedowns, and falls, their consistency and competitive edge carried the Eagles through tough matchups. Their achievements culminated in a school first: two state finalists in the same year, both representing Santiam Christian. That alone is a testament to their elite skill and unwavering dedication.
Alongside them stood Sam Schmidgall, a two-time state placer who finished fourth at state. Sam battled a season marred by concussions, but his perseverance and drive to compete made him one of the team’s emotional anchors. Wrestling is as much mental as it is physical, and Sam’s ability to push through adversity inspired the entire roster.
“This senior class was the backbone of our success,” said Coach Doyle. “Great leaders, positive energy, and excellent performance — they checked every box.”
Season Highlights: New Records and Postseason Magic
While every season has its ups and downs, Coach Doyle was quick to point out that 2025 was the best in school history on paper. The team set new benchmarks across the board: more tournament wins, more state qualifiers, and the most state finalists ever.
Of course, it wasn’t without heartache. The team suffered some tough losses, but those losses became fuel for the postseason. According to Coach Doyle, it was a disappointing performance during the district duals that sparked a mindset shift. What could’ve been a setback turned into a catalyst for growth, as the team regrouped and refocused heading into the championship season.
“Oftentimes it takes a gut punch to wake up and turn the trajectory of a season,” Doyle noted. That defining moment became the turning point that led the team to postseason glory.
Rising Stars: Development in Real Time
While the seniors set the tone, younger wrestlers began to bloom in their own right. River Nygren, a senior and two-time state qualifier, stepped into a vocal leadership role as team captain. Known for his dedication and toughness, River’s influence off the mat was just as valuable as his performance on it. Competing while sick with norovirus, River not only qualified for state but exemplified the selfless grit that defines great leaders.
Meanwhile, junior Conway Montgomery made significant strides in both skill and maturity. His development over the season positioned him as a key figure in the future of the program. “Conway’s growth in maturity sets us up nicely for good leadership next season,” said Doyle, signaling a smooth transition of leadership as the program continues to evolve.
Battling Through Adversity: The Hallmark of a Champion
What defined this Santiam Christian team wasn’t just the victories — it was how they responded to the setbacks. The Eagles were plagued by sickness throughout the season, with key athletes missing time or competing through illness. Most notably, both Kord Setniker and River Nygren wrestled at the district tournament while battling norovirus — and still managed to qualify for state.
Additionally, both state finalists faced crushing defeats in the final stretch before the postseason. Rather than let those losses derail them, they used them as fuel. It’s the kind of resilience that can’t be coached — but it can be cultivated through the right culture, and that’s exactly what Coach Doyle is building.
“Tough losses were a big piece of our success,” he said. “They helped us grow in character and sharpened our focus heading into the championships.”
A Look Ahead: Young, Hungry, and Ready to Grow
With 17 wrestlers returning next season and only three of them seniors, Santiam Christian is set up for long-term success. Coach Doyle is excited about the opportunity to focus on leadership development and build on the solid foundation laid by this year’s seniors.
“It’s a great spot to be in as a coach,” Doyle said. “When most of your team returns for the next 2–3 seasons, you can really invest in culture, growth, and team identity.”
But success brings new challenges. As the program expands—growing from a traditional roster size of 7–12 athletes to a full squad of 25—Coach Doyle is already planning for the future. That includes adding resources, refining strategies, and adjusting scheduling to ensure every athlete receives the coaching and support they need.
“These are the growing pains of a program on the rise,” Doyle acknowledged, “but it’s the kind of challenge you welcome as a coach.”
Offseason Goals: Building Systems for Sustained Success
As the offseason begins, the coaching staff will shift its focus toward preparing this young roster for future battles. The priorities? Improving infrastructure, enhancing individual development, and laying down systems that support long-term growth. Coach Doyle knows that success in wrestling isn’t built overnight — it’s a product of steady investment in skill, character, and team cohesion.
The team is also committed to leveraging platforms like Trackwrestling.com to analyze performance and improve match preparation. As the sport evolves, Santiam Christian aims to stay ahead of the curve, blending old-school toughness with data-driven strategy.
Final Thoughts: A Program on the Rise
The 2025 season will be remembered as a defining chapter in Santiam Christian Wrestling history. Records were broken, legends were made, and a standard was set for future Eagles to follow. With strong leadership, a culture rooted in resilience, and a young core eager to prove itself, this is just the beginning.
Coach Doyle’s vision is clear: develop young men of character, cultivate a winning culture, and raise the bar each year. And if this past season is any indication, the Santiam Christian wrestling room is becoming one of the most exciting places in high school sports, not just because of the medals, but because of the heart behind them.
Santiam Christian isn’t just building wrestlers. They’re building champions — on and off the mat.
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