The Wrangell Wolves wrestling team managed to earn a number of high placements during its meet at Metlakatla High School last weekend.
Aside from Wrangell, teams from Craig, Hydaburg, Klawock, Metlakatla, Mt. Edgecumbe, Petersburg and Sitka attended the competition.
On Friday, Nov. 2, the coaches attending set up a round-robin style tournament for the first day to seed wrestlers for the following day’s competition.
Head coach Jeff Rooney said the first day went quickly.
“Since there were only 8 teams attending the meet, the low number of wrestlers made some small brackets and was a quick set of matches,” he said.
On Saturday, the wrestling went into bracketed, No. 1-4 wrestling with the winner taking home a championship plaque and the tournament bracket.
The tournament ran 8-man brackets for each weight class with the exception of the 145lb class where there was an A and B bracket to facilitate the high numbers of wrestlers in that particular weight class. The low number of wrestlers attending in the 120-, 152-, 170-, 182-, 195- and 220-pounder classes caused the coaches to move wrestlers and combine some weight classes.
“The 120 pound bracket remained as it was, the 152 pound bracket had some wrestlers moved into it to fill a bracket, while the 170 pound and 182 pound brackets were combined and the 195 pound and 220 pound brackets were also combined,” Rooney added.
Eleven Wrangell wrestlers attended, with 10 of them taking 2nd place in the tournament. Luke Gunderson took 5th/6th in 170/182-pounder mixed class.
According to Rooney, senior Asia Prus wrestled hard – and made quick work of at least one opponent.
“Asia wrestled a mix and match for the first day bringing the Wolves three quick victories, as well as anchoring the wolves ‘Fastest Pin’ record for the season so far,” Rooney added. “Her 10-second pin is going to be hard to beat by even the strongest of our seasoned wrestlers. Asia wrestled well and brought home a 2nd place finish for the team. She always steps on the mat with extreme determination and we look forward to her matches in the meets to come.”
Rooney also pointed the strong effort put forth by Prus’ fellow senior, Kurt Dingwall – despite being sick during the competition
“Kurt joined us on this trip to Metlakatla only to fall ill late on the first day of competition,” Rooney said. “Kurt wrestled very well in his first two matches of the evening with a pair of quick pins. After his second match we were forced to make the tough decision as coaches and decided to pull him from the tournament. Decisions like this are very tough and much to a competitor’s dismay must be made at times. Kurt wanted to continue but for the safety of him and his team we felt this was the best decision.”
The Wolves will travel to Thorne Bay this weekend for their fifth tournament of the season.
Metlakatla tournament results
Wrangell Wolves
2nd – 98lb Freshman Curtis Wimberley
2nd – 113lb Junior Alex Cano
2nd – 120lb Senior Asia Prus
2nd – 132lb Freshman Roger Miller
2nd – 145lb Senior Tanner Thomassen
2nd – 152lb Senior Austin Stevens
2nd – 170lb Junior Devon Miller (mixed 170/182lb class)
3rd – 160lb Senior Jordan Veelle
3rd – 182lb Sophomore Jeffrey Rooney, Jr. (mixed 170/182lb class)
5th/6th – 170lb Junior Luke Gunderson (mixed 170/182lb class)
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