North/South tourney brings wrestlers

Wrestlers from around the state converged on Wasilla High School during the weekend, with 14 schools competing in the annual North/South Wrestling Tournament.

The tournament featured a bracketed format for each weight class. Wrestlers who continued to win stayed in the championship bracket to eventually wrestle for first and second place.

Wrestlers who lost matches fell into the consolation bracket where another loss eliminated them from the tournament or they could work back through the bracket to win third place.

"This is like an early state tournament," said Wasilla assistant coach Nick Dougherty. "It gives a good indication of strength and shows you what you need to work on."

Andy Anderson of Palmer was the lone weight division winner from the Valley. Anderson won the 112-pound division with a 13-1 major decision over Kodiak's Clifton Ivanoff in the championship finals.

In the 103-pound division, Wasilla's Gunnar Brannon finished second with Colony's Dustin Killian finishing third.

Zach Tomco of Palmer finished third by pinning West Valley's Spencer Ashcraft in the consolation championship. Tomco pinned Ashcraft at three minutes and three seconds into the match.

Wasilla's Sam Loeb scored a 4-2 decision over Cody McIntyre of West Valley to secure third place in the 125-pound division.

"McIntyre pinned me in the first round of this tournament," said Loeb. "I was pretty pumped to get a chance at him again -- I wanted to redeem myself and go after him."

Palmer's Jonah Stewart, fresh off the hockey season, gave a strong performance to finish second in the 130-pound division.

Palmers Wendell Lewis scored a 13-10 decision to take third place in the 135-pound division.

Colony's Dan Graham took second place in the 145-pound division with Wasilla's Mike Miller finishing fourth.

Wasilla's Abe Salmon battled West Valley's Jay Fulk for a 9-8 decision for third place in the 171-pound division.

Wasilla's Jed Wade settled for second after an 8-6 loss to West Valley's Ward Dobbs in the championship match of the 189-pound division.

Wasilla's Jeramee Meisler wrestled back through the consolation bracket and took third place with a 13-1 major decision over Kodiaks' Dennis Bryant in the 215-pound division.

Palmer's Jon Hillman secured third place in the 275 heavyweight division with a pin of Chugiak's Tom McMichael. Hillman pinned McMichael at 1:20 into the match.

The Valley schools go their separate ways next week, with Wasilla going to West Valley, Palmer going to Kodiak and Colony competing in the West Invitational.