Wrestling: Hawks excited about potential in 2014

HOUSTON — The Houston Hawks have high expectations for the 2014 wrestling season.

And those hopes come with good reason.

The Hawks return a defending state champion, senior Aaron Drake, and five state qualifiers from a squad that finished as the runner-up in the Kachemak Conference Championships. Houston boasts one of its largest teams in years, and the Hawks will host the 2014 conference tourney.

“We have a good shot at regions this year,” head coach Brian Cook said recently.

Cook said he’s excited about the numbers of athletes on the team — there are 30 wrestlers on the roster — and the balance in the lineup.

“This is one of our biggest teams in years,” Cook said. “It’s pretty well spaced out.”

Cook said the Hawks feature the most seniors he’s had during his tenure as head coach. The Hawks also have at least two wrestlers at all but about one of the weight classes. Houston is also loaded in the higher weights. There are currently five Hawks in the 220-pound weight class.

Drake returns as the defending 123A champion in the 120-pound class. He wrestled at 132 pounds at the Cordova Take Down Tournament last week.

“He’s looking good. He’s pretty motivated to hold on to his title,” Cook said of Drake.

Drake was one of three Houston wrestlers in the state finals last year. Luke Wagner won a title at 220 and Ryan Radmer was the runner-up at 152. Both Wagner and Radmer graduated last year.

Drake is also one of three Houston wrestlers on the current roster who placed in state last year. Walker Stephens was fourth at 220 and Sean Lang finished sixth at 182.

Cook said in addition to Drake, Stephens and Lang will also play key roles for the Hawks.

Etienne Kinney and Kavin Weinberger, a pair of state qualifiers last year, also return. Both wrestlers finished third in regions.

Cook said Jacob McAnulty is also a key returner.

Some additions to the Houston squad should also boost the Hawks. Arrin Paul, who did not wrestle for the Hawks as a junior, is back and competing in the 182-pound class. The Hawks also have newcomer Terry Jackson, a transfer from Colony, and heavyweight Michael Hammond, who moved to the area from Washington.

Houston finished second in the Kachemak Conference team standings with 205.5 in the 2013 tournament. Skyview won the title in its final year as a program. Skyview High School was closed after the 2013-14 school year.

Houston is hosting three wrestling events this season. The Houston Altercation, its annual tournament is Nov. 7-8. The Hawks are also hosting the Valley Duals — which will feature Houston, Colony, Palmer and Wasilla — in late November.

The 2014 Kachemak Conference Championships are Dec. 5-6 at Houston High.

Hawks open season

in Cordova

CORDOVA — The Houston Hawks opened the 2014 season at the Cordova Take Down Tournament in Cordova last week.

Houston placed 11 of its 17 wrestlers in the top 3 of the standings, and four won their weight classes. Kavin Weinberger (120), Aaron Drake (132), Arrin Paul (182-195) and Kendel Beasley (220-285).

The Hawks continue their season today at the Throwdown in Snow Town tournament in Valdez.

Cordova Take Down Tournament

Saturday, Cordova

Final results:

120 pounds — 1. K. Weinberger, Hou; 2. L. Erickson, Gra; 3. C. Mikkelsen, Hou; 4. S. Horner, Hou.

126 — 1. E. Bockman, Gra; 2. J. McAnulty, Hou; 3. J. Perkins, Gra; 4. E. Zamudio, Cor; 5. A. Perez, Val.

132 — 1. A. Drake, Hou; 2. G. Bond, Gra; 3. C. Phillips, Val; 4. T. Lane, Gra.

138 — 1. Z. Hamberger, Cor; 2. T. Jackson, Hou; 3. N. Julijussen, Gra; 4. A. Binder, Gra.

145 — 1. G. Sorensen, Gra; 2. C. Smith, Val; 3. J. Sapp, Val; 4. J. Gericke, Hou.

152 — 1. C. Webb, Gra; 2. C. Bogert, Hou; 3. K. Sodergren, Val; 4. J. Smith, Cor.

160 — 1. D. Allen, Val; 2. J. Juliussen, Gra; 3. N. Griffeth, Hou; 4 R. Hansen, Hou; 5. S. Bean, Hou.

182-195 — 1. A. Paul, Hou; 2. C. Howard, Cor; 3. S. Lang, Hou; 4. K. Venable, Hou.

220-285 — 1. K. Beasley, Hou; 2. W. Stephens, Hou; 3. B. Derifield, Val; 4. D. Jackson, Hou.