Two area wrestlers captured titles at the recent Kids State Wrestling Tournament.

Travis Wittlake Jr. of Team Bucs won his third straight state title, while Cole Smith won his second straight state title for the South Coast Grapplers at the tournament, held March 7-8 in Newberg.

Both Wittlake and Smith are unbeaten on the season.

Zack Schneider finished second in his division, while Tyler Campbell was fourth. Storm and Zack Parker both placed fifth and Spencer Clark was sixth for the South Coast Grapplers.

Other participants from the South Coast Grapplers included Cade Hite, Wyatt McCarthy and Chelsea Clark.

“We had a very good collegiate season as a club with the most state placers in recent history,” said coach Derek Hite.

Hite said the wrestlers were grateful for the club’s major sponsors, Knife River-LTM, Coldwell Banker Justrom and Stromme Inc. Realtors, and Southwest Physical Therapy.

For Team Bucs, Gavin Sherrill and Triston Dixon each finished fourth, while Wes Turner, Thadius Nelson, Blake Brickey and Grady Hampel also competed.

Turner and Nelson both lost early matches to first- or second-place finishers and didn’t place.

“I think if they didn’t have that draw, they would have finished in the top four,” said Team Bucs coach Travis Wittlake Sr.

Wittlake said his wrestlers had a strong tournament.

“I was proud of them,” he said. “I thought they did great. Some of them, it was their first trip to the state tournament. They got to see what it was about.”

Next up is a trip to nationals for five of the wrestlers who competed at the state tournament — Travis Wittlake Jr., Smith, Campbell, Turner and Nelson. They leave for Iowa early next month.

Wittlake is a defending champion in the national event.