Jeff Rooney, Jr., takes on his opponent from Sitka during last weekend’s wrestling tournament in Petersburg. Rooney finished in 3rd place in the 170-pounder weight class.
The Wrangell Wolves wrestling team came away from last weekend’s trip to Petersburg with a pair of champions, three 2nd place wrestlers, and a pair of Wolves nailing down 3rd place spots.
Seniors Kurt Dingwall and Tanner Thomassen each walked away from the Vikings’ tournament Oct. 12-13 with top honors in the 138-pound and 145-pound classes respectively.
According to Wrangell head coach Jeff Rooney, both of his top wrestlers kept up their pressure and skill level after being named as regional champions in 2011.
“Kurt is one of our region champions from last season and secured the number one seed in his bracket this tournament,” Rooney said. “Kurt obtained the 1st place finish for this tournament with three pin victories and one well fought decision against some strong competition.”
Thomassen performed equally well according to Rooney.
“Tanner is also one of our region champions from last season and he took the number one seed in his bracket for this tournament as well,” Rooney added. “Tanner advanced through his bracket by pinning his way through the championships. Tanner met his teammate strong in the finals and anchored a 1st place finish.”
The Petersburg invitational meet was the first for the Wolves’ 2012 wrestling season and Rooney said his team has been preparing for the competition with high hopes of finishing well by season’s end.
The Wolves Wrestling team is looking very strong this season,” Rooney said. “We currently have two freshmen that both come with some good experience and are a nice addition to our squad. The team has added some new faces to the team this year and we are looking to improve and capitalize on their style and we are looking forward to working with them this season.”
The team also has six seniors – Dingwall, Thomassen, Asia Prus, Jacob Marshall, Jordan Veele and Austin Stevens – as returning players.
“I am very pleased to see each and every one of them and anticipate some high achievements from all of them,” Rooney added.
The matches were bracketed, wrestling 1st-4th, with the winner taking home their championship or placement status. The tournament ran 8-, 16- and 32-man brackets relevant for each weight class.
The Wolves’ next meet is this weekend as they travel to Sitka.
Of the 14 wrestlers on the Wolves squad all were able to attend the tournament. The attending wrestlers were:
1st – 138lb Senior Kurt Dingwall
1st – 145lb Senior Tanner Thomassen
2nd – 132lb Freshman Roger Miller
2nd – 145lb Senior Jacob Marshall
2nd – 170lb Junior Devon Miller
3rd – 120lb Junior Alex Cano
3rd – 170lb Sophomore Jeffrey Rooney Jr
4th – 98lb Freshman Curtis Wimberley
5th/6th – 126lb Senior Asia Prus
5th/6th – 152lb Senior Austin Stevens
5th/6th – 160lb Senior Jordan Veelle
5th/6th – 170lb Sophomore Mason Dingwall
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