Knights tie ACS

JEREMIAH BARTZ/ Sports Editor

PALMER -- Anchorage Christian School, the defending 1-2-3A state champions, have been raising some eyebrows in the state's prep wrestling community.

The Lions defeated the defending 4A state champion Wasilla Warriors in a dual meet earlier this season and have placed high in early-season 4A tournaments.

But on Tuesday, the Colony Knights were the ones raising some eyebrows. The Knights, a team on the rebound after struggling to field a complete team in recent seasons, wrestled to a 31-31 tie with ACS at Colony High School.

"They've got five or six state champions," Knight head coach Fred McKenney said. "They're extremely tough."

McKenney was pleased with the performance against the 3A power noting his squad also had multiple opportunities to win the match outright.

McKenney said a critical match in the dual was Chris Walsh's win at 189 pounds. Walsh, who recently dropped from the 215 class, pinned his opponent with 45 seconds remaining in the first round. The Knights now have a tough set of wrestlers in the upper weights with Walsh, Dominick Bellotte (215) and James Savage (275).

Andrew Van Asdel (103), Dustin Killian (119), Hollan Gravely (125) and Ryan McKee (140) also earned wins for Colony.

McKenney said Erin Boss wrestled an inspired match for Colony at 112, despite giving up almost 15 pounds.

"Erin fought extremely hard," McKenney said.