Middle school wrestlers wrap up season with plenty of pins and wins

Stikine Middle School wrestlers ended the season on a high note with the most pins made in the past four years.

This year's squad consisted of 22 wrestlers. Each one was able to have at least one match where they pinned their opponent and won. Out of 337 matches, 167 ended with a pin for the wrestlers.

Coach Jack Carney reported it was the highest number of pins in the past four years.

Though the young grapplers faced plenty of tough competition, the biggest challenge may have been caused by COVID-19. Carney said the team could start to feel apathetic with training since competing against other teams has been uncertain.

"I don't know how many events have been canceled over the years for this group, but they've gotten accustomed to events or programs shutting down," Carney said. "We had at least one wrestling trip canceled due to COVID numbers on Prince of Wales, and the kids were pretty down for a couple of days."

Carney and assistant coach Lorne Cook kept the kids motivated and focused, helping to concentrate on the things they could control, while letting go of those things they couldn't. It led to some standout performances by the athletes.

Eighth grader Ben Hauser had a record of 17 wins and six losses, with 15 pins and two overtime wins. He won two tournaments, Carney said, and placed eighth at the Tanana Middle School Invitational tournament in Fairbanks on Feb. 26, which is the equivalent of the middle school wrestling state championship.

Sixth grader Kourtney Barnes had the best record of the squad this season with 19 wins and one loss, winning four tournaments and placing second at Fairbanks. She had a total 18 pins.

Seventh grader Hailey Cook had 15 wins and four losses, with eight pins, two tournament wins and a third-place finish in Fairbanks, while eighth grader Cody Barnes had 16 wins, two losses, three tournament wins, and placed fourth in Fairbanks. Seventh grader Jackson Carney won 20, lost six, had 15 pins and won five tournaments.

Ian Nelson had 21 wins and five losses this season, but Carney remarked that the eighth grader was ending his middle school wrestling career on an impressive record of 51 wins, 16 losses and 39 pins, which is the best record he's seen since he began coaching.

Ian, Ben, Cody, Gavin Hunt, Christina Johnson, Jackson Powers, Landon Dillon and Katelyn Gillen are all graduating and moving on to high school next year, Carney said. "Most have said they're wrestling next year in high school. We have five seniors graduating out of the program this year, so these eighth graders will help replace such a tough group."

Carney lauded the efforts of athletic director Trisa Rooney and school administrators for making travel possible for the squad. He said the kids' parents are also to be commended for keeping them healthy, focused on their grades, and supporting the wrestling program through time and fundraising endeavors.

For Carney, the wins are part of the process, which is more important, he said.

"We can get too focused on whether or not we win, especially middle schoolers," he said. "But that mindset is too nearsighted and takes away from the long-term goals: Being a stronger, more resilient person, being competitive in the biggest high school and college matches, and maybe even earning college scholarships."

Carney also said he tries to keep his squad mindful of wrestling's fundamentals, positioning, practicing with intention, having a good attitude in and out of the wrestling room and supporting teammates.

"Being respectful is what makes an excellent student-athlete and team member," he said. "We talked about this a lot over the season. It paid off."