Mini-Moose, mighty wrestlers

The Palmer High Junior Middle School wrestling team not only won the 2003 state tournament, but they captured the title in record-breaking fashion.

The Mini-Moose garnered 302.5 total points, nearly 50 points more than a distant second place Tanana Middle School to win the title.

The PJMS grapplers are the first team ever to surpass the 300-point mark in the junior high state tournament.

The title also ensured Palmer's perfect season. PJMS has won every tournament they competed in this season.

"It was a legitimate goal," PJMS assistant coach Doug Reich said of his team's title hopes. "We were undefeated on the season, but we knew we had a chance.

"We knew that Wasilla and Teeland had a chance and Tanana always has a chance."

Ten Palmer grapplers placed in the top four. Three Moose wrestlers won titles at the tourney.

Landon Mattingly (75 pounds), Kendon Mattingly (100) and Jimmy Ratcliff (133) each took home gold metals.

Danny Applin (85), Haakan Boehem (115), Jesse Billis (174) and Justin Vanover (260) each finished third for Palmer.

"Going into the final rounds it was a lot closer, but eight of the ten wrestlers who made it to the championship and consolation finals won," Reich said. "That totally put us over the top.

"The kids on the backside of the brackets mopped up."

Wasilla Middle School finished in third place with 244 points. Danny Lyles won the 95-pound class to lead the Braves.

Teeland and Colony Middle Schools finished fourth and fifth respectively.

Teeland advanced five wrestlers to the finals, while Colony placed two in the championship round.

Hollan Gravely (105) and James Savage (260) each won titles for CMS. Both Colony Middle School grapplers won their second consecutive title.

Savage earned the trophy for the most pins in the least amount of time. Savage stuck five of his opponents in less than eight minutes of total time.

Longtime Houston Junior High School wrestling coach Dan Zustpan was honored at the tournament.

Zustpan is retiring after this year.

Palmer Junior Middle won the state title after an impressive victory in the Mat-Su Valley Championships late last month.

Nineteen middle schools and four clubs were represented in the tournament held at Tanana Middle School in Fairbanks.

Over 400 wrestlers competed in the tourney at the Fairbanks school