Wrangell High School’s wrestlers ended their season on a strong note, finishing seventh this weekend out of 61 teams at the Alaska 123A State Wrestling Tournament hosted at Bartlett High School in Anchorage.
“They did really well,” said Wrangell Public Schools’ activity director, Jack Carney.
“We were really busting for a team title there,” said the team’s coach, Jeffery Rooney. “They all wrestled their little hearts out.”
The team only sustained one serious injury during the matches, and several wrestlers made it to their semi-final rounds. Freshmen Brian Heller and Ian Jenson came in third and fourth place, respectively. Senior Jeffery Rooney Jr. took third for the 182 weight class.
“It was a good end for him,” said Rooney. He and other senior Justus Mikkelsen will be graduating this year.
In Alaska’s first all-girl tournament, Alisa Heller came in second place.
“We’re very proud of her,” Rooney said. “We hope to see her continue on.”
Even though the scores of Barratt and Alisa Heller did not end up counting toward Wrangell’s final tally, the team outscored a number of larger teams. The state tournament brings to a close a good year for the Wolves, with all of its wrestlers able to make it up for the competition.
“They had a phenomenal season,” Rooney commented.
“I’m just really happy with the coaches, how they’ve done there,” Carney said of Rooney and assistant coach Steve Miller.
For some of the younger players, Rooney felt their eyes were opened up to further possibilities by the state competition.
“It was a learning experience for all,” he said.
This year’s decision to combine 1A through 4A teams together in Region V was also a learning experience, one which Rooney felt raised the competition for the season’s tournaments for the better.
“It helps their season, it helps our season,” he said.
Wrangell’s hosting of this year’s regional tournament was also a boon to the program, Rooney added, sparking new interest in the team.
“We’ve got quite a few people that are showing some interest,” said Rooney.
Wrangell will again be hosting a wrestling tournament next month, this time for the middle school teams. Stikine Middle School’s wrestling season begins Jan. 5.
“That’s pretty cool, getting to have this much action,” Carney said of the tournaments. With much of the high school team likely to return next year, promising wrestlers currently on the middle school team should keep this season’s momentum going in the years to come.
“They’ve got a pretty good program,” Carney said. “We’re hoping to keep that tradition going.”
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