Sports Report: Bend Native qualifies for Olympics; Oregon Wrestling classic returns; UO Hockey is on the high desert; Seahawks vs 49ers on Fox

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ)-- Halfpipe skier Hunter Hess is headed to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, marking the first Olympic appearance of his career.

Over the past two years, Hess has earned two bronze medals at the X Games, establishing himself as one of the top freeski halfpipe athletes in the world.

On Saturday, Hess officially qualified for the Olympics after finishing second at the U.S. Team Qualifier, securing his spot on the U.S. Freeski Halfpipe Team.

The Bend native currently ranks second in the world in men’s freeski halfpipe standings and has placed in three events this season. Hess grew up skiing at Mt. Bachelor, where he was part of the Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation.

The Olympic men’s freeski halfpipe competition is scheduled for February 19th and 20th.

The Oregon Wrestling Classic returns to Redmond this weekend for its 24th year at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds.

Last year, 80 high school teams, including 10 from Central Oregon, competed in the tournament. From Friday through Sunday, more than 15 duals can take place at a time on the floor of the Expo Center.

The tournament features hundreds of athletes, including youth wrestlers. Gates open at 7 a.m. Friday, with the first duals beginning at 8 a.m.

The Oregon Ducks hockey team comes to town this weekend as the Bend Winter Classic returns for its fifth year. The Ducks will take on the University of Alabama at the Pavilion in Bend on Friday and Saturday night at 7 p.m. Both games are sold out.

Also on Saturday, the Seattle Seahawks face the San Francisco 49ers live on FOX. The teams split their regular season series, with Seattle winning the final matchup 13–3.

As of now, the Seahawks are 7.5-point favorites. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. Saturday, right here on FOX.