Wolves wrestlers sending 8 to State

Most of Wrangell High School's wrestlers will be headed to the State Tournament in Anchorage this weekend, after taking a number of top-four spots at Petersburg during the Region V Tournament Dec. 11 and 12.

"We had a tough team," commented Coach Jeff Rooney. Nine students qualified with top-four placements in the regional tournament. "We've had some tough customers out there, some real high-end finishers," said Rooney.

Chet Armstrong finished in first place for the 182-pound bracket, finishing the tournament with a record of 29 wins and only three losses. Armstrong will be highly ranked for state-level competition, and Rooney anticipates the wrestler to come away with a medal.

Ian Jenson also came out on top of his 126-pound bracket, finishing with a trio of pins at 3:36, 3:42 and 3:23. He will be headed to State looking strong with a 24-6 record.

Alone in the 98-pound bracket, JD Barratt will be going on to State with a 13-9 record. Caleb Groshong took first place in his 220 bracket with a pair of pins, heading to State on a strong 14-1 record.

In the 145-pound bracket Roger Miller earned second place, after beating teammate Sig Decker in a 10-4 decision during the semifinal round. Decker took fourth for the bracket, and both wrestlers will be headed to State.

Orion Heller placed third for the 120-pound bracket, pinned by Jeffery Slwooko of Metlakatla in the first round but beating Seth Packer of Craig in the consolation by 12-7 decision.

Darren Shilts took third place for the 170-pound bracket, pinning Brandon Guthrie of Haines in a minute during the consolation semifinal and besting Metlakatla's Abraham Booth in a 5-1 decision in the final.

In the 138-pound group, Sam Armstrong came in fourth place. After finishing his first two rounds in pins he was sent to the consolation bracket in a 12-6 decision. Despite coming in with a severe sprain, Armstrong bested Metlakatla's Merrick Dundas by pin in 3:50. The injury required him to forfeit to Mike File of Petersburg in the consolation final, and though Armstrong has qualified for State he will not be able to attend this weekend.

"That was really kind of a heavy blow for our team," Rooney said. But after discussing it with Armstrong's parents they concluded it would be best not to risk further injury.

Also competing in the 138 bracket, freshman Dillon Rooney finished his season with a 10-12 record. Teammate Wesley Scott finished in fifth for the 182 bracket, after pinning Haines wrestler Tyler Murphy in 2:12. Competing separately in the 1234A Girls Tournament 132-pound bracket, freshman Elizabeth Johnson finished her season 2-10.

After State, the Wolves will be wrapping up its season with an awards ceremony. Rooney explained it's a way to round out the year with ice cream and recognition for all the wrestlers' hard work.