Six Wrangell wrestlers place at state

Of the 11 members of the Wrangell Wolves wrestling team who travelled to Anchorage for the state championships last weekend, six walked away with placement. As teams, Bethel High School took first place in the boys' championships, while the North Pole Patriots took first place in the girls' championships. Wrangell took eleventh place in state overall in both brackets.

"Many goals were accomplished this season with a Region Team Title, 4 Region Champs, and so many State placers," Assistant Coach Jack Carney wrote on the Wolves' Facebook page. "Solid practice partners, strong team captains, dedicated students, new wrestlers that stuck out a full season, along with supportive parents and administrators all played a part in this season's success."

Rowen Wiederspohn took sixth place in the 171 bracket. He lost in the first championship round to Wayland Patten of Craig, but fought his way through three concession rounds. He lost the concession semifinals to Dalton Pinard of Mat-Su Valley and the fifth place match to Koleman McCaughey of Nikiski.

Hunter Wiederspohn took fourth place in the 152 bracket. He made it to the championship semifinals where he lost to Adam Jockusch of Eielson High School. He won the concession semifinals, but lost the third place match to Austin Cramer of Glennallen.

Jamie Early took fourth place in the 135 bracket. She lost the first championship round to Emily Lorring of Kodiak, and went on to win three concession rounds. She won the concession semifinals, as well, but lost the third place match to Linsey Beans-Polk of Bethel High School.

Ryan Rooney took second place in the 125 bracket. He made it to the first place match, but lost by decision to Jordan Korth of Glennallen.

Jonah Comstock took second place in the 119 bracket. He made it to the first place match, but lost by fall at 2 minutes and 53 seconds to Keegan Delaquito of Glennallen.

Liana Carney was Wrangell's sole first place finisher in state, winning the 119 bracket. She beat opponents from East Anchorage and North Pole to get to the final match. She won the first place match by fall, at 2 minutes and 52 seconds, against Autumn Poland of Lathrop Wrestling. Coach Jack Carney said that she is the first female wrestler from Wrangell to ever take first place at state.

"It went real well, of course we always want more," he said in an interview. "Really happy with how each of the kids did."

Carney said he was proud of the whole team, and felt that everyone had given it their best. Each wrestler had shown a lot of improvement over the season. He added that he hopes this season will serve as an inspiration to the team, especially to the younger wrestlers and students who may join the team in the future, to work hard and keep this momentum going. He is trying to get as many wrestlers as he can to play on the basketball teams and to attend summer camps to keep in shape, he said, and to help out all of Wrangell's other sports programs.