17 Valley grapplers advance to state semifinals; Colony holds early lead in team standings

CHUGIAK — The two-time defending state champion Colony Knights hold an early lead in the team standings of the ASAA/First National Bank 4A State Wrestling Championships.

Just prior to the start of the championship semifinals, Friday afternoon, the Knights had a meet-high 123 points in the tournament that started Friday morning at Chugiak High School in Eagle River. Lathrop stood at a distant second with 80.5.

The Knights moved a tournament-best 10 wrestlers into the semifinal round, which was set to begin at 6 p.m. Friday. Issac Wilson (112), Charles Coisman (119), Kyle Wilson (125), Sam Loggins (130), Josh West (140), Anthony Smith (145), Jacob Pfeiffer (145), Kenny Boykin (160), Angelo Bellotte (189) and Eric Fan (215) each had the opportunity to wrestle for a spot in the championship round.

Wasilla, which sat in sixth place with 61 points, pushed five wrestlers into the semifinals — Abe Fox (103), Chris Gross (135), Casey Katchinska (171), Chris Crane (189) and Jed Johnson (215).

Nick Stahler (140) will represent the Palmer Moose in the semifinals and Justin Crowley (215) is the lone Houston Hawk in the semis.

For complete coverage of the state tournament, see the Sunday edition of the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman.