Warrior grapplers break records

JEREMIAH BARTZ/Sports Editor

The defending state champion Wasilla Warrior wrestlers are also the record breaking Warrior wrestlers.

The Warriors, aiming to repeat as 4A state champions, enjoyed a tremendous weekend at the Jerry Palmer Team Tournament at Bartlett High School.

En route to winning the two-day event for the second straight season, the Warriors set a pair of state records and possibly a national record.

In an 84-0 win over East Anchorage, Wasilla set the state record for points in a dual and pins in a dual, with 12. The Warriors pinned their East opponents in all but two of the 14 weight classes. Wasilla earned a forfeit victory in the 171-pound class and a win by disqualification in the 275-pound division. The disqualification in the heavyweight class actually is a two-point deduction for East. Wasilla could actually have an 86-point margin of victory, winning 84-(-2).

Wasilla tied the national record for points in a match with 84. According to alaskawrestling.com, Marquette High School in Marquette, Mich. set both marks with 14 pins in an 84-0 win in 1997.

The Warriors also beat Dimond 70-5, West 60-6, South 45-19 and North Pole 65-12 in the event.

Wasilla head coach Shawn Hayes was obviously delighted with his team's performance at Bartlett, but said the Warriors were able to have success at multiple tournaments over the weekend. The deep Warrior wrestling program also sent a team to the Region III Dual Meet at Colony High School and a squad to a junior varsity event at Service High

School.

"We ended up doing really well," Hayes said. "We ended up winning two duals (at the Region III Duals) and came real close on the third one; Bartlett we did really well."