3 Hawks advance to conference finals

NIKISKI — At 9 p.m., Thursday, Houston wrestlers were left wondering if they’d even be allowed to travel to the Kachemak Conference Wrestling Championships. By 9 p.m., Friday, the Hawks not only were able to make the trip to the state-qualifying tournament, they made some noise as well.

With Mat-Su Borough School District schools closed by freezing rain on Thursday, Valley high school sports teams were on edge about the possibility of classes being cancelled Friday as well. School district policy says that if classes are cancelled, so are all extracurricular activities, including travel. But with the early morning go-ahead, the Hawks were on the road early Friday, and about 14 hours later finished the first day of the conference tournament with a solid hold on fourth place in the team standings and a chance to crown a trio of conference champions during Saturday night’s finals.

Although returning from a shoulder injury, two-time defending 220-pound state champion Luke Wagner showed he’s as dominant as ever, pinning his way into the finals. In fact, Wagner only actually wrestled 2 minutes, 17 seconds on Friday.

After a first-round bye, Wagner pinned Heather Harrington of Homer in 53 seconds, then pinned Skyview’s Sawyer Mayhan in 1:24. That sets Wanger up to wrestle Jordan Ryenolds of Homer in the 220-pound finals for the conference championship.

Joining Wagner in the finals are Aaron Drake and Ryan Radmer.

Drake placed third at state last year at 106 pounds, and entered the Kachemak Conference Championships ranked No. 2 at 120 pounds. After a first-round bye Friday, Drake pinned Bradyn Tanner of Skyview in 2:44 and scored a major decision over Jaime Rio of Homer, 11-3.

At 152, Ryan Radmer also followed up a first-round bye with a pin and major decision, sticking Grace Christian’s Casey Main in 2:35 and beating Dylan Brorssard of Nikiski 17-3, respectively.

In the team standings, Houston finished the first day of action in fourth place with 136.5 points. Skyview leads the tournament at 193.5, followed by Seward (163) and Homer (142.5).

The top four finishers at the conference championships advance to the ASAA/First National Bank 123A State Wrestling Championships next weekend at Anchorage Christian School.

Updates online

Due to the Frontiersman’s publication schedule, the finals of Saturday’s Kachemak Conference Championships won’t be included in Sunday’s print edition. This story will be updated online with finals results and Houston state qualifiers. You can also read the Tuesday Frontiersman print edition for more about Houston High wrestling.