A Redington record: Huskies send 9 to state tourney

WASILLA — Prior to the Kachemak Conference Championships, Redington head coach Abe Salmon said he’d like to see three or four of his wrestlers qualify for the state wrestling tournament. The Huskies went well beyond that goal, and Salmon will be sporting a different look because of it.

Redington will have nine wrestlers in the Division II class of the ASAA/First National Bank State Wrestling Championships, which begin Friday at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage.

“One of my wrestlers made a bet with me. If we get more than five to the state tournament, they can dye my hair. I might look like a fool this weekend,” Salmon said with a laugh earlier this week.

Wednesday evening Salmon said he’s not quite sure which shade his athletes will chose. But he’s excited about taking nine wrestlers to state.

“Almost double what the bet was is a good deal,” Salmon said. “To surpass my expectations was great.”

Redington placed six wrestlers in the top 3 of their respective weight class during the Kachemak Conference Championships, which earned an automatic berth to the state tourney for each. A pair of Huskies earned at-large berths allotted to Division II programs by ASAA. Another Redington grappler was added an alternate after a wrestler in his class scratched. Redington had only one wrestler in the state tournament last year.

“We’re feeling pretty happy about it,” Salmon said. “We’re building something special out there. We told the kids, you guys are setting the tone for the program in the future.”

Redington’s group of nine headed to state includes freshman James Paris, who finished second in the 98-pound class in the region tournament. Paris is seeded second in his class in the state tournament. He is 16-2 this season, with both losses coming to Anchorage Christian freshman Caleb O’Hara, the Kachemak Conference champ and top seed in state. Salmon said O’Hara pinned Paris in the first round during the King of the Mountain tournament in Seward early in the season. In the region final, O’Hara needed all three rounds to beat Paris.

“He closed the gap. We’re hoping to make a little more progress,” Salmon said.

Paris was one of four Huskies in the region finals. Jonathon Kirby (120), Eli Benson (132) and Kyler Rumfelt (220) also reached the final. Salmon said it was fantastic to see four Huskies in the finals after placing just one in the top 3 last year.

Gavin Metcalf (132) and Oliver Severance (182) earned the at-large berths. Torry Keene (170) is also in the state tournament.

Houston head coach Danny Moffitt is also thrilled about the group the Hawks have in the Division II state tournament. The Hawks will have 14 wrestlers, a dozen boys and two girls, in the state tourney. Seven Hawks finished in the top 3 during the Kachemak tourney and received automatic bids. Five others were awarded at-large bids.

The group includes senior heavyweight Dylan Jackson, who enters the state tournament undefeated and the top seed at 285. Jackson is also one of three Houston heavyweights, along with Reed Graham and Kobe Little, in the state tournament. Moffitt said that’s an indication of the teamwork that has helped the Hawks have success as a whole.

“No doubt Dylan helped get the trio to the state tournament,” Moffitt said.

Moffitt said the Hawks have helped their teammates prepare for success throughout the lineup.

Dakota Bolduc (145), Lane Guim (152) and Graham (285) also advanced to the region finals and finished second. Damien Jessup (138), Justin Gericke (182) and Shawn Graham (220) placed third.

Keaton Ryherd (106), David Revilak (113), Daniel O’Connor (170), Robert Ritter (195) and Little (285) grabbed at-large bids.

Megan Gergman (106) and Jessie Merrick (120) will represent Houston in the girls’ class.

Susitna Valley and Glacier View will also have wrestlers in the Division II tourney.

Su Valley’s Aiden Jolley earned a region title at 182 pounds during the Denali Conference Championships in Delta Junction. Dalton Pinard finished second at 160.

Glacier View’s Noah Lucia won the 113-pound class at the Denali tournament.

Wrestling begins Friday at 9 a.m. at the Alaska Airlines Center on UAA’s campus. Championship semifinals are Friday at 5 p.m. Wrestling continues Saturday at 9 a.m. and the championship finals are scheduled for Saturday at 6 p.m.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.