Photo caption: Oakridge wrestling coaches Jason Irvine left, and Don Jackson at right, with their 2nd place state championship team.
By ETHAN RODRIGUEZ/for The Herald — On Thursday, February 27, and Friday, February 28, Oakridge High School took home four state titles at the Oregon State Wrestling Finals at the Memorial Coliseum in Portland. Spearheaded by the strong leadership of coaches Dan Nibblett and Don Jackson, who was named Coach of the Year, these victories further solidify the culture of winning and excellence within Oakridge’s wrestling program.
Coach Don Jackson “coaches” one of his wrestlers during a match at the State tournament.
Don Jackson, head coach of the boys’ wrestling team, has been an active member of the Oakridge community for nearly his entire life. Born in Spanish Fork, Utah, he moved to Oakridge when he was 6 years old and has lived there ever since. As a high schooler, Jackson wrestled at Oakridge from 1976 to 1979. Off the mat, he has worked as a contractor and roofer in the community for 34 years. In 1998, Jackson began his coaching career as an assistant coach when his son joined the team. In 2016, he took over as head coach. Under his leadership, Oakridge has won numerous state titles and built a culture of success.
Jackson is a players’ coach, supporting his athletes both on and off the mat. He actively participates in practices, wrestling alongside his athletes to back up his coaching style. “I like to get in there with them and show them that I can back up what I’m talking about,” he said.
This year, under Jackson’s leadership, the boys’ team achieved great success at the state finals, bringing home three individual state championships. Rowdy Williams, a freshman, won the 130-pound title. Kayden Tiller, a senior, earned his second consecutive championship at 150 pounds. Lee Brainard, also a senior, won the 190-pound class. “They’ve been absolutely phenomenal,” Jackson said of his team’s success. The boys’ team also had strong performances from their two runner-ups, Jonavin Keller and Everett Palanuk. Oakridge finished second overall in their division, just behind Culver and ahead of Lowell.
The girls’ wrestling team, coached by Dan Nibblett, also had a strong showing at this year’s finals. Jackson, who formerly coached the girls’ team, emphasizes the close bond between the two teams and the importance of mutual support. “Between these teams, these kids build each other up and support each other, enabling each other to succeed,” Jackson explained.
At this year’s finals, the girls’ team had three runner-ups and one champion. Junior Vanessa Keller won her third consecutive title. She is the sister of boys’ runner-up Jonavin Keller. Their younger sister, freshman Victoria Keller, also finished as a runner-up in her weight class. Additional strong performances came from runner-ups Emmalee Brissette and Kali Williams, the younger sister of boys’ champion Rowdy Williams.
Beyond siblings, Jackson has even coached some of his athletes’ parents. “I like to think I’m now coaching the second generation. I coached some of these kids’ parents when they were in high school. I wrestled with Keller’s grandfather,” he said.
In Oakridge, wrestling is truly a family affair. The tight-knit community surrounding the team fosters a culture of support, not only in competition but in life. “Wrestlers become a family,” Jackson said. “I’m very family-oriented myself, and seeing individuals win, achieve, and build their character—that’s how I measure success.”
Jackson’s philosophies extend beyond wrestling. From coaching generations of wrestlers to traveling outside Lane County to work for repeat contracting clients who have moved away from Oakridge, he is a leader in the community. He’s committed to the personal development of his athletes, pushing them to grow both inside and outside the gym. His approach has helped cement the wrestling program’s culture of hard work and success.
This year, the student-athletes were not the only winners. Coach Jackson himself took home the honor of Coach of the Year in his division, a well-deserved title recognizing his role in shaping the program’s championship DNA.
Jackson is already looking toward next year, excited for what it holds. With the departure of the seniors, some of whom will pursue wrestling at the collegiate level, there is a new class of student-athletes ready to step up and join the program. With a culture rooted in dedication, cooperation, and excellence, Oakridge wrestling is poised to keep building its legacy and develop the next generation of champions, on and off the mat.
Ethan Rodriguez
Ethan Rodriguez was born in San Diego, California, where he completed high school and grew up writing and playing basketball. Ethan left San Diego to travel around the US working for web journalist YouTube site " Channel 5 News". After that, he went to Puerto Rico to build houses. Eventually settling in LA, Ethan worked in construction and worked as an independent journalist producing his own documentaries. He moved to Oregon in 2024 to work and study and pursue journalism.
