Wrestler Gordon Taitingfong pins down awards in Oregon

CNMI’s Gordon Taitingfong, an up-and-coming wrestler in his debut year, has already accumulated awards during his time as a junior at Gresham High School in Oregon.

The 17-year-old former Kagman High School student moved with his family to Oregon last June and started wrestling just last September, but since then, has already multiple awards to his name.

His list of accomplishments include being the champion of the Mount Hood Conference on Feb. 20, placing first in the Rick Sanders tournament and the Mount Hood Conference District tournament on Dec. 13, placing second at the Southridge Boys Tournament (Jan. 2), Rangers Classic Tournament (Dec. 6), and The Tigard Invitational Tournament (Jan.10), and qualifying for the OSAA Wrestling state tournament.

His 2025-2026 record in folk style wrestling is 31 wins and 9 losses. He will transition to freestyle wrestling during the off season.

Growing up on Saipan his whole life, he decided to join wrestling in the states because he was inspired by his uncle—his dad’s brother, who wrestled in high school and placed first in an all island tournament in Guam.

When asked what he thought of wrestling as a first timer, he said, “I can say wrestling is a great sport overall it teaches you life lessons that you’ll value even after highschool.”

His goal from here is to improve and prepare himself for the next season as its going to be his senior year and last season. As for his ultimate goal with wrestling he said, “is to take first at the OSAA Wrestling State tournament next year. I do not have plans on wrestling in college as of right now but if i do get an offer during my senior year I may consider continuing wrestling.”

His training regiment includes training from Monday to Friday under his head coach Elijah Kue, an Oregon wrestler and All American wrestler. His younger brother Phillip Kue who coaches beside him, wrestled in college at Ohio State and was a 3x State Champion in Oregon.