Host Kodiak takes lead in NLC wrestling championships; Wasilla second after first day

KODIAK - The host Kodiak Bears lead after the first day of the Northern Lights Conference Championships.

Kodiak moved eight wrestlers into the finals en route to scoring 182 points in the team standings during the first day of wrestling at Kodiak High, Friday.

Defending NLC and state champion Wasilla finished the first day in second place, with 152.5 points. Wasilla also has eight wrestlers in the finals, including two at 138 pounds. Nate McKimson will face teammate Bryce Serna in the finals.

Andrew Shannon (113), Abe Fox (120), Tyler Adams (145), Austine Gonzalez (195), Adam Akelkok (220) and Ryan Pomrenke (285) will also compete for a region title.

Colony is in third with 102 points. Four Knights - Spencer Adams (126), Sawyer Root (152), Simon Rot (160) and Ian MacKenzie (195) advanced to the final round.

Palmer is in fourth place with 93 points. Nate Pempek (126) and Brian Thompson (285) will represent Palmer in the final round.

Wrestling continues Saturday at Kodiak High.

Team scores:

1. Kodiak 182; 2. Wasilla 152.5; 3. Colony 102; 4. Palmer 93; 5. Soldotna 79; 6. Kenai 44.

Championship semifinals:

106 pounds - A. Caballa, Kod d. M. Cochran, Pal 9-2; H. Steffenson, Ken p. L. Cruz, Kod 3:19; 113 - L. Fried, Kod d. D. Ellibee, Col 8-3; A. Shannon, Was d. W. Booth, Col 5-4; 120 - A. Fox, Was win by inj def S. Carpenter, Was; F. Llorente, Kod d. E. Burris, Kod 7-4; 126 - N. Pempek, Pal p. A. Troxell-Tom, Ken 3:44; S. Adams, Col d. J. Chavez, Sol 8-2; 132 - E. Steffenson, Ken p. E. Fouch, Pal 1:21; C. White, Kod p. B. Marks, Was 1:22; 138 - N. McKimson, Was p. C. Bendixen, Pal 3:28; B. Serna, Was d. H. Molesky, Pal 5-1; 145 - T. Adams, Was p. D. Medina, Pal 2:15; A. Tennis, Sol p. L. Heun, Pal 0:41; 152 - K. Leopola, Kod win by fft B. Canete, Kod; Sa. Root, Col win by inj def A. Gentz, Pal; 160 - Si. Root, Col d. C. Mincher, Was 5-1; K. Foust, Sol p. D. Deal, Kod; 170 - K. Powers, Kod p. H. Seltenreich, Was 4:53; C. Parsons, Kod p. B. Smithwick, Ken 5:12; 182 - C. Johnson, Kod p. C. Nielson, Pal 1:49; T. Strieff, Sol p. A. Fuller, Was 3:57; 195 - A. Gonzalez, Was d. B. Button, Pal 8-4; I. MacKenzie, Col p. L. Owens, Kod 3:03; 220 - A. Akelkok, Was m.d. C. Frohling, Pal 12-3; T. Farber, Col p. M. Olsen, Kod 2:37; 285 - R. Pomrenke, Was p. J. Booth, Col 1:50; B. Thompson, Pal p. M. Sega, Kod 5:15.