Wrangell wrestlers start the season with nine podium finishes

The Wrangell High School wrestling team competed in its first meet of the season this past weekend in Hoonah. The three-day meet Oct. 17-19 was a success for the Wolves, as they boasted four tournament champions, three second-place finishers and two bronze medalists.

On the girls side, senior Della Churchill finished atop the podium in the 120-pound bracket, while Hailey Cook won the 114-pound weight class against her nationally ranked opponent in the gold medal match.

For the boys, sophomore Jackson Carney won the 145-pound division and junior Ben Houser defeated last year's state runner-up to claim first place in the 130-pound bracket.

Head coach Jackson Carney was thrilled with his team's start to the year.

"We did really well," he said. "We won 70% of all our matches and we had the best cardio of any team we were up against."

Carney - who warms his team up by having them do cartwheels and somersaults across the mat - emphasizes the Wolves' energy levels, so he was happy to report that Wrangell was "the most intense" of all eight teams at the tournament.

While the neon names of the Wrangell wrestlers - Churchill, Carney, Cook and company - took home first-place finishes in the tournament's final day, their coach was also proud of the team's performances on the first day of the tournament.

"Lucas Stearns, Everett Meissner and William Massin all won matches they probably shouldn't have won," Carney said, "but they dug in hard."

Of the seven Wolves who made it to the final round, four clinched gold. The team's total winning percentage was topped only by Mount Edgecumbe High School, who strategically brought just their top wrestlers to the meet, Carney said. Wrangell, instead, brought everyone. In three days of competition, the Wolves won 70 of their 100 matches.

Wrangell led the tournament in the total number of pins (49), edging out Juneau (48) and Mount. Edgecumbe (34).

Carney described the tournament as "a good start," and wants to keep this early momentum building for the rest of the year.

Next up, Wrangell travels to Juneau for a tournament on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 25-26. Wrangell's only home tournament of the year will take place on Nov. 15-16.