Five Houston grapplers in state tourney

The Houston Hawks may have been a little disappointed by advancing only five wrestlers to the 1-2-3A state tournament, but it may be a start in the creation of a successful wrestling program at Houston High.

"We were hoping to get seven or eight," Houston head coach Chris Roge said.

Of the five who placed in the top four at the Region III-Area II region championship at Nikiski last weekend, three are sophomore and two are freshman. The five underclassmen could be building blocks for the future of Hawk wrestling.

Of the five, Roge was pleasantly surprised by a pair of his wrestlers.

Freshman Don Caulkins and sophomore Jeremy Grube each placed third in the region tourney. It was not only the highest finish of the year for the pair, but the first time either had placed in a tournament all season.

Caulkins placed in the 171-pound class and Grube finished third at 189.

The pair are among four Hawks who placed in the upper weight classes.

Sophomore Chris Hanson finished second at 189, while fellow 10th grader Fred Young placed third at 215.

"Our group of higher weights has improved all year," Roge said. "We didn't have a lot of experience, but they were the hardest workers in the room."

Blake Elder has been one of the top wrestlers in the Houston program throughout the year. The freshman finished second in the 112-pound class.

Roge said that he has the best shot among the Hawk grapplers to place at state.

"He should be seeded," Roge said. "Maybe four or five."

Roge added that Hanson may also place in the tourney.

The small school state tourney begins this morning at Anchorage Christian School.

The championship session will begin Saturday at 5 p.m.