Warrior wrestlers have done the Valley proud

Frontiersman editorial board

Some people were throwing the word "dynasty" around this weekend. They weren't discussing the Super Bowl or the New England Patriots. They were Alaska wrestling fans, and they were talking about the Wasilla Warriors.

The Warriors spent Friday and Saturday pinning down their second consecutive state championship, in impressive fashion.

In some ways like that other dynasty, the New England Patriots, the Warriors found success through team effort, rather than on a wave of personal glory. Two of the Warrior grapplers, Alan Bartelli and Jake Wade, claimed individual titles, and some other schools produced more individual titles, but another impressive team effort produced 179 points for Wasilla - 30 points more than the second-best team in the tournament, South High School.

We'd like to congratulate Bartelli and Wade for their individual success, but we'd also like to congratulate the entire Warrior squad for its determination and grit. Wasilla's wrestlers take a workmanlike approach to the mat, and they translate that into a building wave of points that is simply too much to overcome.

They were odds-on favorites to defend their state championship this year, but the Warriors are likely not finished yet. There can be no sighs of relief from opponents - nobody can say, "Thank goodness that's over." Wasilla will return most of its wrestlers next year, and the team is actually likely to be even better when the 2005-2006 season begins.

Bartelli's championship match was also a piece of Alaska wrestling history. Bartelli pinned his opponent in 1:58 to get the Warriors off to a good start, but it was his opponent who was making history. Michaela Hutchison of Skyview was the first female wrestler in Alaska history to make it to the championship round. Though she was unable to close the deal, she wrestled with the crowd behind her, and she set a standard for others to follow. Hutchison deserves congratulations as well.

Some other Valley wrestlers performed well at the state meet as well. Colony produced two champions, Dusty Killian at 119 pounds and Hollan Gravley, the state's top wrestler at 125 pounds. They delivered a second championship to Colony.

The Valley has had its share of athletic success, and all schools have shared in that glory. Houston's hockey program is another dominant force expected to produce big results this year. Wasilla's wrestling program has achieved elite status, however. The Warrior grapplers set the standard for wrestling in Alaska, and if any other school wants to claim the state title, it will have to wrestle that honor away from the Warriors.

Again, congratulations to the Warriors - as individual athletes, but especially as a team. Our hats are off to each wrestler and to the entire coaching staff. They've all given the Valley a great reason to be proud.