The Wrangell Wolves hosted the Tom Sims Invitational Wrestling Tournament last weekend, coming away with 62 wins and 21 losses with 48 pins in the matches, including exhibitions.
The wrestling team came in second to Ketchikan overall by just 2.5 points, but placed first as the group with the most pins in the least time and the best winning percentage over the two-day tournament Friday and Saturday, Dec. 1-2, at the high school gym.
A large, cheering crowd of spectators gathered for the tournament on Saturday, and head wrestling coach Jack Carney thought it was nice to see so many in the community come out in support. “There were so many people that helped to make it happen,” he said. “It’s hard to host a tournament with 160, 170 kids, and … it was just so nice for our community to be there.”
Prior to Saturday’s competition, athletic director Mike Hoyt spoke during the Shtax’Heen Kwaan acknowledgement, in which he introduced local Tlingit elders who performed several dances for residents and visitors, including a welcome dance.
Levi Mills and junior wrestler Krista Howland from Hoonah schools contributed a check to help with landslide relief efforts in Wrangell, while Ketchikan High School presented a large handmade card.
There was a moment of silence for victims of the Nov. 20 landslide, followed by recognition of Wrangell seniors Keegan Hanson and Mia Wiederspohn, who in turn presented coach appreciation gifts to Carney, assistant coach Rolland Wimberley and former head coach Jeff Rooney.
Junior Della Churchill at 114 pounds and freshman Hailey Cook at 107 earned first place on both nights; juniors Kyan Stead at 119 and Vanessa Johnson at 185 took first on Friday; while sophomores Boomchain Loucks at 119 and Katelynn Gillen at 185 took first on Saturday.
Also coming in first during one tourney in regular brackets were Hanson at 152, Wiederspohn at 152 and freshman Everett Meissner at 145.
“It was a bonus for both seniors, Mia and Keegan, to win their brackets on Senior Night,” Carney posted on Facebook.
Carney added there was a deliberate pacing, taking a mental and physical reset during the Thanksgiving break to prepare for regionals and state. “We’re just trying to sharpen the saw,” he said, expecting that his team will do well.
The Wolves will compete at regionals in Juneau on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 8 and 9, with state competition in Anchorage the following weekend.
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