Potter, Smyth place second at Grace Christian Invite

The Houston Hawks placed two wrestlers in the championship round of the annual Grace Christian Invitational over the weekend.

Charlie Potter and Tran Smyth each finished second for the Hawks.

Glennallen's James Geffe scored a major decision over Potter to claim the individual title in the 140-lb. class. Geffe, the tourney's outstanding wrestler, defeated Potter 11-3.

Levi Russell of Ninilchik slipped past Smyth in the 160-lb. class, defeating the Hawk senior 4-1.

Houston had several wrestlers wrestle in the finals of the consolation bracket.

Mallory Smyth (112), Carolyn Smyth (119), Cody Redford (135) and George Bjore (189) each finished fourth.

Houston finished seventh in the team standings.

Fourteen teams competed in the tournament, the second small school wrestling event of the season.

The Hawks will travel to Seward to compete in the annual Seward Invitational, Oct. 25-26.

Final team standings

1) Valdez 144.5; 2) Dillingham 135; 3) Nikiski 126.5; 4) Barrow 120; 5) ACS 115; 6) Grace Christian 111.5; 7) Houston 90.5; 8) Ninilchik 63; 9) Seldovia 56; 10) Glennallen 55; 11) Cordova 40; 12) Tok 39; 13) Seward 37.5; 14) Slana 7.

Championship matches

103 pounds — Lance Penhale, Nikiski, m.d. Arias Gerardo, ACS, 10-2. 112 — Josh Hundorf, Nikiski, d. Jacob Masog, ACS, 10-4. 119 — Jeremy Banner, Valdez, d. Allen Judah, ACS, 8-7. 125 — Kevin McCambly, Dillingham, p. Jared Mazurek, Nikiski, 1:33. 130 — Casey Graika, Valdez, d. William Savo, Dillingham, 8-6. 135 — Derek Bennett, Dillingham, m.d. Steven Miller, Ninilchik, 17-6. 140 — James Geffe, Glennallen, m.d. Charlie Potter, Houston, 11-3. 145 — Spencer Hirt, Barrow, d. Gage Graika, Valdez, 3-1. 152 — Bjorn Olson, Tok, p. Corky Jones, Grace Christian, 2:25. 160 — Levi Russell, Ninilchik, d. Tran Smyth, Houston, 4-1. 171 — Cody Hultquist, Grace Christian, m.d. Larry Nunn, Dillingham, 11-1. 189 — James Weise, Cordova, p. Jack Packer, Barrow, no time given. 215 — Bobby Dunbar, ACS, d. Tini Fosi, Barrow, injury default. HWT — Brionne Eklins, Barrow, p. David Rorrison, Nikiski, 3:05.

Third-place matches

103 — Jesse Moe, ACS, p. Josh Smith, Barrow, :32. 112 — Kenny Balfe, Grace Christian, t.f. Mallory Smyth, Houston, 15-0. 119 — Jordan McCoy, Nikiski, p. Carolyn Smyth, Houston, 1:30. 125 — Vinson Ben, Valdez, m.d. Joe Christensen, Grace Christian, 10-2. 130 — Alex McMahan, Glennallen, p. Ryan Dela Rosa, Barrow, 4:50. 135 — Nuk Harcharek, Barrow, d. Cody Redford, Houston, 8-2. 140 — Jim Payton, Seldovia, p. Gary Cline, Dillingham, 4:37. 145 — Ryan Nicholson, Dillingham, p. Matt Clarkson, Grace Christian, 5:33. 152 — Anthoney Lorenzo, Nikiski, p. Daniel Timmerman, Grace Christian, :55. 160 — David Johansen, Valdez, d. Phil Wright, Grace Christian, 5-1. 171 — Stephen Bishop, Valdez, p. Matt Tegerdine, Grace Christian, :30. 189 — Chance Collier, Seldovia, p. George Bjore, Houston, :47. 215 — Zach Doyel, Valdez, p. Doug Jones, Seward, 3:59. HWT — Joe Sparaga, Grace Christian, p. Peter Charles, Tok, 1:15.