“Z-Man” remembered by wrestlers

RIDGEFIELD — The second annual “Z-Man” wrestling tournament was held Jan. 22 at Grant High School in Portland. “Z-Man” refers to late Ridgefield resident and Portland police officer Mark Zylawy, who was hit by a truck and killed while standing on the shoulder of Interstate 5 as he dealt with car trouble in January 2008. Hundreds of local wrestlers, their families, Portland police, business leaders and other spectators turned out. The wrestling tournament supports the Z-Man Foundation, which provides scholarships for local youth to attend college-prep high schools. Currently in its second year, the foundation has supported 14 students so far — largely thanks to Portland police payroll deductions.