Valley grapplers place at Western Regionals

PALMER — A handful of Valley grapplers recently proved they are among the best in the west.

Five members of the Tri Valley Wrestling Club and three from Arctic Warriors Wrestling earned top-four finishes during the USA Wrestling Western Regionals in Las Vegas, Nevada, late last month.

“It’s good to see where we stack up against the rest of the western United States,” Colony High head coach Todd Hopkins said.

Caleb Hopkins, a recent graduate of Colony High, was among three Tri Valley wrestlers to finish in the top 4 in both the freestyle and Greco-Roman tournaments. He was also one of two to win their weight class and earn a western regional title. Hopkins, a Division I state champion in Alaska, finished first in freestyle at 170 pounds in the junior class. He was also third in Greco-Roman.

Tarren Gudmunson, a Colony freshman, also won his weight class, finishing first in the cadet class at 88 pounds in Greco-Roman. He also the runner-up in freestyle.

Carter Silva, an incoming freshman at Colony High, was second in freestyle and third in Greco-Roman in the schoolboy class at 97 pounds. Regan Yundt placed second in the freestyle and third in Greco-Roman in the bantam class at 49 pounds.

A fifth Tri Valley grappler, Shane Ostermiller, was second at 56 pounds in freestyle in the bantam class.

Wasilla High junior Andrue Shepersky was third at 160 pounds in Greco-Roman in the junior class. Warriors teammate Sterling Uhlenhake finished third in Greco-Roman at 138 pounds in the cadet class. A third Warrior, Deshawn Campbell, placed fourth in the freestyle.

All eight Valley grapplers are eligible to compete at the USA Wrestling National Championships in Fargo, North Dakota, in July.

Tri Valley also had seven wrestlers finish in the top 3 during the Folkstyle Festival Tournament following the Western Regionals. Aiden Ehmann and Rush Fannon won their weight classes. Gudmunson was second. Yundt, Caleb Hopkins, Levi Hopkins and Jared Hopkins all finished third.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.