Save Oregon Wrestling Foundation

05/24/2026

🏆ANNOUNCING THE 2026 RON FINLEY SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS 🏆

We are proud to recognize three outstanding Oregon student-athletes as recipients of the 2026 Ron Finley Scholarship Fund:

👏 Samuel Platz – Union High School
👏 Emmerson Jarman – Scappoose Online Academy
👏 Gavin Pogue – Crater Lake Academy

These exceptional young wrestlers represent everything our sport stands for — discipline, grit, perseverance, integrity, humility, and service to others.

Named in honor of legendary University of Oregon Wrestling Coach Ron Finley, this scholarship recognizes Oregon seniors continuing their wrestling careers at the collegiate level while excelling academically and within their communities.

Together, these athletes have achieved:
✔️ Outstanding academics
✔️ Admirable wrestling accomplishments
✔️ Leadership roles in their schools and communities
✔️ A commitment to serving others beyond the mat

Wrestling builds more than athletes — it builds character, resilience, and future leaders. Platz, Jarman, and Pogue embody the future of Oregon wrestling and carry forward the values Coach Finley dedicated his life to teaching.

⭐️We wish great success to every athlete who applied for the scholarship award this year. You are ALL truly outstanding. ⭐️

The Save Oregon Wrestling Foundation remains committed to promoting, advancing, and endowing NCAA Division I wrestling at the University of Oregon while creating educational opportunities for Oregon’s most dedicated student-athletes.

Please join us in congratulating these remarkable scholarship recipients! 💚💛

If you would like to support the Ron Finley Scholarship Endowment and help strengthen the future of wrestling in Oregon, please consider making a tax-deductible donation at:

https://saveoregonwrestling.org

04/02/2026

Be sure to submit your applications for the Ron Finley Scholarship Awards! Deadline is April 30th. We look forward to getting to know the 2026 class of dedicated Grapplers in Oregon.

www.saveoregonwrestling.org/scholarships

02/26/2026

A legend and a great man. RIP Coach.

Arizona State has announced that the legendary Coach Bobby Douglas has passed away at 83.

Douglas coached Arizona State to a team National Championship in 1988 & was also Cael Sanderson's coach when he won Olympic Gold in 2004.

On the mat, Bobby Douglas was a 2x Olympian (1964, 1968) and 2x World Medalist (Silver in 1966 and Bronze in 1977).

RIP to a legend in the sport; he will be missed.

02/18/2026

Thirty six young men and women have received a Ron Finley Scholarship award since we began our mission to champion the future of Oregon Wrestlers. ⭐️

Do you dream of competing at the collegiate level? We encourage you to read about our scholarship program and apply! The deadline is April 30th!

Download your application at: https://saveoregonwrestling.org/scholarships/

01/16/2026

1964 U.S. Olympic Wrestling Teams and Staff.

(L-R) kneeling: Ron Finley, Dave Auble, Andy Fitch, Elliott Simons, Dick Wilson, Bobby Douglas. Standing: Manager Fendley Collins, Jim Burke, Larry Kristoff, Gerald Conine, Wayne Baughman, Russ Camilleri, Dan Brand, Gregg Ruth, Robert Pickens, Pat Lovell, Greco-Roman Coach Dean Rockwell, Freestyle Coach Rex Peery.



You can be whatever you desire in this sport because wrestling truly is for everyone!

11/26/2025

Thanksgiving is the perfect time to express our deep gratitude to those who have supported our mission. This year, the Save Oregon Wrestling Foundation grew our endowment to reinstate wrestling at the University of Oregon. (Bring back the Quack!) We awarded Ron Finley Scholarship Awards to three outstanding high school seniors who are now competing at the collegiate level. And our volunteers continue to champion the sport of Wrestling. We appreciate your donations, letters and support. If you can make a year-end gift to our non-profit 501C3 endowment fund, we will put your donation to work! If you can write letters to the UofO athletic department, or share our social media posts to rally community support, we are grateful for that too. Thank You and happy Thanksgiving! 🦆

https://saveoregonwrestling.org/donate/

HELP GROW THE ENDOWMENT FUND Invest in the Future of Oregon Wrestling We’re building an endowment to secure the future of wrestling at the University of Oregon. To date, we’ve raised $2.5 Million dollars in pledges and donations, but we still have a long way to go. Your generous donation will be...

11/17/2025

Just a shout out to Leonard Simon who is always hustling to make a difference. Check out his go fund me to support the good work he is doing in club wrestling. 🦆🤼‍♀️

Subject: Request for Support – Building Champions On and Off the Mat … Leonard Simon needs your support for Support Black Tornado and Oregon Wrestling Club

08/27/2025

We are saddened by the news of the passing of Oregon legend, Bill Nugent. He was a Champion in so many regards, and an impactful coach and friend in the lives of so many. If you didn’t know ‘Billy’, you can learn a little about him at the link below. Among many honors, Bill received a Lifetime Service to Wrestling Award from the Oregon chapter of the National Hall of Fame. Please uplift his family in your thoughts and prayers. Rest In Peace little buddy. You’ll be missed.

The National Wrestling Hall Of Fame

05/19/2025

🚨 ANNOUNCEMENT: 2025 Ron Finley Scholarship Award Winners! 🚨

The Save Oregon Wrestling Foundation is proud to honor three incredible scholar-athletes whose dedication to wrestling, academics, and community leadership represent the best of what this sport cultivates. 🏆🤼‍♂️

🎓 Meet the 2025 Recipients:

🥇 Owen Hull – Grants Pass High School
• Two-time Wrestling State Champion
• 3.98 GPA, Jazz Band trombonist, welder, fisherman, and true all-around leader
• Headed to the University of Wyoming

🥇 Maverick Heimbuck – Scappoose High School
• 150+ career wrestling wins, NHSCA Academic All-American
• 4.29 GPA, youth coach, reader, and future engineer
• Will attend Trinity College (CT)

🥇 Eric Larwin – Bend Senior High School
• OSAA 5A State Champion, school takedown record-holder
• 3.85 GPA, referee, peer mentor, and outdoor enthusiast
• Bound for Eastern Oregon University to study Forest Biology

We were overwhelmed by this year’s amazing pool of applicants and wish we could support them all. These scholarships are made possible by your generous donations and interest earned from our endowment fund, which is also helping us pursue our mission:
🎯 Bringing wrestling back to the University of Oregon.

Read more about these outstanding athletes at: https://saveoregonwrestling.org/scholarships/winners/

🙌 Help us grow the fund and support more athletes like these.

💚 Donate now: https://saveoregonwrestling.org/donate

Keep Chasing The dream Read About Some of the Outstanding Athletes Who’ve Been Awarded Ron Finley Scholarships 2025 Winners Owen Hull Grants Pass High School University of Wyoming Eric Larwin Bend Senior High School Eastern Oregon University Maverick Heimbuck Scappoose High School Trinity College ...

04/30/2025

Applications for the Ron Finley Scholarship awards are due today! Best of luck to all the outstanding applicants!