Warrior wrestlers win team tourney

ANCHORAGE -- The Wasilla Warriors proved they are one of the deepest wrestling teams in the state by taking home team titles in the Bob Bailey and North South tournaments.

On Saturday, established themselves as Alaska's elite team in dual meets by crushing state power Skyivew 49-24 in the finals of the Jerry Palmer team tournament at Bartlett High School.

The annual tournament pairs teams rather than individuals in the brackets.

Wasilla cruised to the win, taking the first six and nine of the 14 matches in the dual.

Jake Wade (171), Jed Wade (189), John Olson (215) and Jeremiee Meisler (275) started the Warrior rampage with consecutive pins.

Alan Bartelli followed with a forfeit victory at 103, Danny Lyles registered a pin at 112 and Gunner Brannon scored a 15-5 major decision at 119.

At one point Wasilla led 40-0.

Chuck Carpenter pulled off arguably the biggest upset of the tourney, defeating Brandon Cleveland 6-0 in the 152-pound class. Cleveland was the state's top-ranked wrestler in his class prior to the loss.

Mike Miller also won for Wasilla, at 130.

The Warriors moved into the finals with a 54-15 win over Region III foe Kodiak in the semifinals.

Jed Wade, Olson, Meisler, Brannon, Miller and Carpenter recorded pins.

Kodiak took third with a 46-27 win over Service.

Palmer and Colony also competed in the event, but failed to place.

Wasilla, Palmer and Colony will each compete in the annual Region III dual meet, Friday and Saturday at Soldotna High School.

Houston sixth

in region tourney

The Houston Hawks earned 52 points to finish sixth in the Region III- Area II wrestling tournament at Nikiski High School last weekend.

A pair of Hawks advanced to the final round of the tourney. Freshman Blake Elder placed second in the 112-pound class and Chris Hanson finished second at 189.

Dan Caulkins (171), Jeremy Grube (189) and Fred Young (215) each finished third for Houston.

The five Hawks earned a spot in the 1-2-3A state wrestling tournament. The event will begin Friday morning at Anchorage Christian School.

ACS dominated the tournament with 209.5 points and six individual champions. Host Nikiski placed second with 141 points.