Chet Armstrong gets the upper hand over Sitka's Joshua Goeden during the final round of the Tom Sims Invitational in Wrangell Saturday evening. Armstrong took second for the 182 class, and his team placed second overall with 116 points.
Last weekend was a successful one for Wrangell High School's wrestling program, hosting the first tournament of the season without a hitch and taking second place among 14 schools.
"The community turned out in full support," said activities director Lisa Nikodym.
The Tom Sims Invitational Tournament is named for Tom Sims, a former graduate, coach and longtime participant of Wrangell's wrestling program. As coach during the late 1980s and 1990s, Sims' team secured several championships, and he was on hand Saturday evening to watch the start of what may be another good season for the program.
Overall, Wrangell's team took first for its region and second overall, garnering 116 points. Craig came just behind at 104. Ketchikan High School finished in first place overall, with 197 points for the tournament.
Competing in the 120-pound weight bracket, Wrangell's Orion Heller pinned Mt. Edgecumbe wrestler Nathan Andrew in 1:15, then pinned Luke Reynolds of Ketchikan the next round at 1:19. Heller bested Jacob Gagner of Sitka in a 10-6 decision before finishing the bracket for second place, in a 4-2 decision to Jeffery Slwooko of Mt. Edgecumbe.
Ian Jenson took second for the 132-pound championship, ending by fall to Hoonah's Emmanueal Budke at 0:54. On his way to the final, he had pinned Craig's Drew Marker in 1:50 and Ketchikan's Kadin Hodges in 3:38.
Sam Armstrong ended matches in three pins, coming in second for the 145-pound championship, after an 8-3 decision for Tell Tripple of Thunder Mountain.
Darren Shilts placed second for his 170-pound bracket, bested by Thunder Mountain's Tyler Cole in a 10-3 decision. Leading up to the final, Shilts pinned Micah Eichner of Ketchikan in 2:55, and Hoonah's Brandon Guthrie in 3:06.
Chet Armstrong finished three of his matches in pins before finishing second for the 182-pound class, ending by fall at 6:00 to Joshua Goeden from Sitka.
For the 220 class, Wrangell senior Chris Seddon came in fourth place, finishing by fall at 1:51.
The team heads north today for its next tournament, the Brandon Pilot Invitational at Juneau's Thunder Mountain High School.
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