Knee injury doesn't phase Colony wrestler

PALMER — A knee injury to a wrestler is a major ordeal.

Coming back from a major knee injury and going undefeated on the mat might be impossible, but don't tell that to Colony grappler James Winter.

If Valley wrestling teams offered a come-back player of the year award, Winter may fit the bill. He remained undefeated over the weekend upping his record to 10-0, claiming a Palmer Invitational 215-pound wrestling title.

The once injured Valley wrestler is now the focus of many state contenders.

Winter's Valley rival Todd Beal told the Frontiersman last week that his main goal this season will be to dethrone Winter, who is the reigning Region III champion.

"I thought it was kind of funny," Winter said after reading the story. "I kind of look forward to taking him out again, just like we did in football this year."

Beal will have to wait a little while longer before tackling Winter on the mat because he suffered a first-round injury to his elbow against East's Jeremy Torell and had to forfeit to Winter after fighting through the pain to reach the final round.

"[Beal] was in obvious pain all day, but he gritted it out," Palmer coach Brian Hooks said. "He has a real hunger and drive this year."

When Winter tore his MCL during the Northern Lights-Railbelt playoff game against the West Valley Malamutes back in October, he immediately started thinking about the upcoming season.

"Ever since I hurt my knee, that's all I've been thinking about," Winter said Saturday.

Since Winter couldn't yet wrestle when preseason conditioning started, he just ran.

"He's been such a good, hard worker, I don't think [the injury] has really hindered him," Colony coach Cody Tanner said. "His work ethic has brought him back quick."

Winter exited the football season weighing 240 pounds, so he had to drop 25 pounds before the wrestling season started while training with a hurt leg.

"He's been running ever since November, and he's picked up where he left off last year," Tanner said. "He had 26 pins last year."

While his teammates prepared for the season with full contact matches, Winter, who finished fourth in the state finals last year, jogged on the track above Colony's gym, so he may be the most conditioned athlete in his weight class.

"I haven't been tired in any of my matches this year," he said. "It also helps if you get a pin before the third period.

Although the Knights finished in fifth place at the Palmer Invitational with 123 team points, they had four individual champions who all won by pins.

Josh Savage, who, according to Tanner is a "real contender for the state finals," pinned Palmer's John Hillman in the second period to win the heavyweight competition. The tournament's top 152-pound seed, Tim Park, pinned Wasilla's Jacob Philbin in the second period to take his championship match. Adam Gillette, who is undefeated at 135 pounds pinned East's Brant Jensen in the third frame to win his finals match for the Knights.

A light wrestling turnout left vacancies at the 112-, 119-, and 140-pound weight classes. The guys that turned out to wrestle are top quality, Tanner said.

Palmer Invitational team results

1. Chugiak 195.5; 2. Wasilla 174.5; 3. Palmer 145.5; 4. Kodiak 143.0; 5. Colony 123.0; 6. East 104.0; 7. Service 52.0; 8. Chugiak JV 45.0; 9. Bartlett 43.0; 10. Kodiak JV 41.0; 11. Wasilla JV 33.5; 12. Bartlett JV 30.0; 13. Colony JV 25.0; 14. Service JV 25.0; 15. Palmer JV 10.5; 16. East JV 6.0.

Individual results

103-pounds — Travis Schultz, Chu, d. Zach Tomco, Pal, 11-5. 112-pounds — Andy Anderson, Pal, d. Ed Bailey, Chu, 5-3. 119-pounds — Junior Valladolid, Kod, p. Joel Lawrence, East, 2 minutes 29 seconds. 125-pounds — Jordon Brock, Was, d. Stan Brown, Chu, 5-3. 130-pounds — Len Tol, Chu, p. Antoine McLead, East, 2:45. 135-pounds — Adam Gillette, Col, p. Brant Jensen, East, 4:57. 140-pounds — Lafe Martyn, Was, d. Nick Delacruz, Pal, 10-8. 145-pounds — Tyler Randolph, Kod, d. Mark Staudinger, Chu, 8-4. 152-pounds — Tim Park, Col, p. Jacob Philbin, Was, 3:36. 160-pounds — Steve Manuel, Bar, d. Ben Anglen, Chu, 8-7. 171-pounds — David O'Brien, Kod, p. Mieckal Delaney, Col, 5:38. 189-pounds — Mike Knowles, Kod, d. Bryan Lance, Chu, 11-10. 215-pounds — James Winter, Col, ft. Todd Beal, Pal. 275-pounds — Josh Savage, Col, p. John Hillman, Pal, 2:39.