Bangor’s Emily Christopherson Surges at Three Rivers Roleo

8th annual competition is televeised for the first time in event history

Some of log rolling’s biggest names and personalities were on hand for a shot at the Three Rivers Roleo title Saturday.

Local favorite Emily Chrsitopherson lived up to her top five world ranking, advancing to the women’s semifinals before falling to the second ranked roller in the world Gretchen Greene.

Greene met 16 year-old Ellie Davenport in a marathon final match that lasted nearly 30 minutes, and concluded with Greene defending her 2014 Three Rivers Roleo title.

The competitive women’s bracket proved to be one of the biggest story lines Saturday in Onalaska.

“We had 22 professionals out here competing and it was a great tournament,” said tournament organizer Katie Rick. “The result was intense, long matches and there was a lot of power going into those matches.”

On the men’s side, West Salem’s Carl Rick battled his way to the men’s final. Waiting for Rick was nine-time world champion J-R Salzman, of Hayward, Wisconsin. Salzman’s dominance continued in the finals with a (3-0) decision.

“I know the competitors said this tournament feels big,” said Rick. “It looks different and it is exciting that the tournament has made such a step up from year seven to year eight.”