PALMER DOMINATES WRESTLING TOURNEY

PALMER - If there was any question that Valley wrestlers are among the top in the state, one only had to look at the finals of the Palmer Invitational.

Led by Most Outstanding Wrestler Scott Jorgenson of Palmer, Valley wrestlers dominated the finals and earned a title in every weight class but one. The strong showing by Colony, Wasilla and team champion Palmer set the stage for a fantastic Region III meet.

I think the region is going to be wide open, said Colonys Josh Harris, who won the title in the 189-pound division. Skyview and Palmer have been dominating it for so long, but I think we have a decent shot.

Valley dominance got off to an early start as Wasillas Jordan Brock and Colonys Daniel Pickett met in the 103-pound finals. Pickett had defeated Brock earlier this year, but Brock prevailed at the Palmer Invitational.

Brock earned the 8-2 victory by scoring four points in the second and third rounds after the pair battled to a scoreless first round.

Colony got its revenge at 112 pounds as Ryan Gillette dominated Wasillas Ryan Olivera. Gillette was firmly in control throughout, and the match ended after a technical fall with 30 seconds left in the second period as Gillette out pointed Olivera 16-1.

In a rematch of last years 103-pound state finals, Jorgenson and Wasillas Matt Laselle met in the finals of the 120-pound division. This time, Jorgenson came out on top by an impressive score of 24-7.

The Brock brothers got their second championship at 125 pounds as state champ Jesse Brock returned from an eight-week absence to take the title.

Brock beat Anthony Manacio of Juneau 11-5 to mark his return from a broken leg suffered early in the season. It was the first step in what Brock hopes is also a return to the state championship.

Im not as mobile as I was, but my timing is coming back, Brock said. It was good that it happened real early in the season rather than now so I still have a chance to wrestle this season.

Palmer was guaranteed a title in the 130-pound division as James Murrell and John Ford, both Moose, met in the finals. Ford prevailed over his teammate by a pin in the third round.

Ryan Bush won the 135-pound title by a 7-3 victory to give Palmer a commanding lead in the team race. Palmer was aided in its race for the championship by Jade Ekles victory in the 140-pound class. Ekle pinned Colonys Tim Park.

The 145-pound finals was the best match of the evening. Palmers Josh Hoeldt and Kenais Evan Perkins battled to a 10-10 tie after regulation ended. Hoeldt tied the match at 10 by escaping a hold with only 20 seconds remaining. In overtime, the pair battled until Perkins recorded the match-winning takedown with eight seconds left.

At 152 and 160 pounds, Palmers Tony DAmico and James Wade continued their streak of two years without a loss to an Alaska opponent. DAmico won 8-4 and Wade won 9-2 as both returning state champs took the titles.

At 171, Wasillas Scott Foster pinned Snuffy Jones of Juneau in the second round, which helped the Warriors to second place as a team. Colony finished third.

Harris won the 189-pound title in a tight match. Wrestling Chris Carter of Bartlett, Harris found himself down 10-9 with less than 30 seconds in the match. Harris remained calm and scored four points to take a 13-11 lead before Carter scored a one-point reversal with less than 10 seconds left. Harris hung on for the 13-12 victory, but said he was watching the clock in the end.

Yeah, I got a little worried when I was down that late, Harris said.

Justin Harris, Joshs twin brother, took the 215-pound title against Colony teammate James Winter. Justin Harris cruised to the 13-2 victory to give the Harris two titles.

In the heavyweight division, Palmers Isaac Wesley pinned Wasillas Chris Halverson with 29 seconds left in the match to close the meet out on a winning note for his Palmer teammates.

Palmer Invitational

Team results 1. Palmer, 230.5 points; 2. Wasilla, 177.5; 3. Colony, 170.5; 4. Juneau, 119; 5. Bartlett, 119; 6. Palmer JV, 60.5; 7. Kenai, 49; 8. Colony JV, 34; 9. Wasilla JV, 18; 10. Bartlett, 9.

103 1. Jordan Brock, Was; 2. Daniel Pickett, Col; 3. D. J. Beuchler, Bar; 4. Andy Anderson, Pal. 112 1. Ryan Gilette, Col; 2. Ryan Olivera, Was. 119 1. Scott Jorgenson, Pal; 2. Matt Laselle, Was; 3. Mike Sturrock, Jun; 4. Dan Graham, Col. 125 1. Jesse Brock, Was; 2. Anthony Manacio, Jun; 3. Tim Grosdidan, Bar; 4. Tait Kenny, Pal. 130 1. John Ford, Pal; 2. James Murrell, Pal; 3. Gary Reid, Jun; 4. Mike Elder, Was. 135 1. Ryan Bush, Pal; 2. Nathan Duce, Bar; 3. Adam Gillette, Col; 4. Ben Olson, Was. 140 1. Jade Ekle, Pal; 2. Tim Park, Col; 3. Justin Echack, Was; 4. Josh Lawson, Pal. 145 1. Evan Perkins, Ken; 2. Josh Hoeldt, Pal; 3. Adam Tellier, Was; 4. Orion Bloom, Jun. 152 1. Tony DAmico, Pal; 2. Chris Rice, Ken; 3. Joey Beckman, Col; 4. Alex Blaine, Was. 160 1. James Wade, Pal; 2. Garrett Schoenberger, Jun; 3. Josh Hoffman, Bar; 4. Shayne Norton, Col. 171 1. Scott Foster, Was; 2. Snuffy Jones, Jun; 3. Mieckal Delaney, Col; 4. Jacob Till, Pal. 189 1. Josh Harris, Col; 2. Chris Carter, Bar; 3. Todd Beal, Pal; 4. John Thompson, Bar. 215 1. Justin Harris, Col; 2. James Winter, Col; 3. Tyler Glaser, Pal; 4. Wes Dalgrahan, Bar. 275 1. Issac Wesley, Pal; 2. Chris Halverson, Was; 3. Martin Paddock, Jun; 4. Josh Savage, Col.

Photo: Palmer's Jade Ekle tries to pin Colony's Tim Park during the Palmer Invitational. Ekle won the match and helped his Palmer squad to the team championship at the tournament.

Photo by CASEY RESSLER.