La Pine’s wrestling trio of champions take the next step together

La PINE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Ten state wrestling titles, three elite athletes, one high school legacy - and now, one shared destination.

La Pine’s Devon Kerr, Landyn Philpott and Riley Flack are continuing their wrestling journeys together at Southwestern Oregon Community College in Coos Bay.

For four-time state champion Devon Kerr, the path to college wasn’t always certain.

“You know, I went all through high school not knowing what the plan was. I didn't even figure out that I wanted to go to college until, like, two months ago. So I'm relieved that I know what the next step is," Kerr said.

Despite the uncertainty, Kerr’s commitment to growth never wavered: “I think that's what drives me is, I want to be better every single day. Every single day. On the mat, off the mat, in the classroom, I don't care - I want to be better.”

Kerr's teammate, Landyn Philpott, also a four-time state champion, had long dreamed of this moment. With the stroke of a pen, Philpott’s dream was finally realized.

“This night is pretty crazy," he said. "Really excited because I committed to college. I've been dreaming to go to college since I started wrestling. And my whole senior season just came together, and was really good for wrestling, it made me happy.”

Together, Philpott and Kerr have etched their names into La Pine history.

“It was unreal," Philpott said. "I mean, I won my first state title when I was a freshman, and I was like, 'Okay, I can do this.' No one's done it in school history. And then when I did it, I was just shocked, so surreal that I could do that with my friend Devon. And I'm still like - it's unbelievable.”

Riley Flack, a two-time state champion, brings that same fire and focus to the mat. For him, the journey is about more than just personal achievement. It's about doing it with the people who’ve always been in his corner.

“To be able to go to the next level with two of my best friends is a good feeling. It's a great feeling to be able to compete at the next level with them,” Flack said.

Their bond extends beyond wins and workouts. It’s a brotherhood built on years of grinding side by side.

Flack said, “All three of us are going hard in the mat room, just making each other better and in each other's corners every step of the way.”

Even as they step onto a new campus, their goals remain the same, and their hunger has only grown.

“We want top two next year at the championships, so we've got something to work for,” Kerr said.

They’re leaving behind more than just a high school legacy. They’re carrying it with them to Coos Bay.

“Man, we've been day one, since fourth grade when I moved here," Philpott said. "It means a lot, because this friendship we've gotten, just even this year, between the three of us has become really tight. And I feel like we're just going to become even tighter when we go to college.”

From La Pine to Coos Bay, the story continues. Champions. Brothers. Teammates. Ready for what’s next.