Palmer wrestler earns a girls state title, Redington crowns two Division II champs

The Valley had three individual champions that wrestled at the ASAA/First National Bank Division II and girls state wrestling tournaments at Chugiak High School on Saturday.

Glennallen won the D2 team title and Lathrop won the girls state title. Redington finished fifth in D2 with Caleb Metcalf and Charlie Severance both taking home individual state titles. Colony placed third in the girls team standings and Palmer placed ninth, but Trinity Pendergrass won the 119-pound title for the Moose.

“It feels great. It’s still a state championship. I’m a competitor. It was fun, a little bit less people than usual but it was great,” said Severance.

Severance pinned Adam Jockusch of Eielson in just 2:53. Severance had pinned his way through the rest of the tournament and was crowned state champion at 152 pounds.

With the season postponed last winter by the coronavirus pandemic, Severance finally got his chance to win a state title.

“It’s pretty annoying, very demoralizing but that’s what wrestling is about stepping up and being better,” said Severance. “This is what wrestling is about.”

Metcalf wrestled for just 1 minute, 25 seconds during his two matches, recording pins in 54 seconds to pin his opponent in the second round and besting that performance in the final, pinning Nathan Hankins of Seward in 31 seconds.

“It was good,” said Metcalf. “I’d like to thank my coaches and all the people that pushed me in practice.”

Metcalf finished the season with a record of 3-2 and was frustrated by the shortened season due to COVID-19.

“I’ve only been able to wrestle like once other than regions and state because of covid stuff and then yeah I was able to come to state and regions,” said Metcalf.

Pendergrass recorded a pin and a major decision on her way to the final at 119. Pendergrass’ finished the year with a 19-3 record and the only individual state title for any Palmer wrestler with a 7-6 win over Natalie Tobuk from Nome.