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Husky Wrestling at 47th Annual Tanana Wrestling Invitational

Laurie Prax

Husky Wrestling at 47th Annual Tanana Wrestling Invitational.

Courtesy of GMS Coaches – Husky wrestling concluded this past weekend at the 47th annual Tanana Wrestling Invitational, the tournament is considered to be the “unofficial” state tournament for the middle school level. This year the tournament consisted of 42 teams and over 500 wrestlers from across the state. The tournament is broken into both the boys division and the girls division, this year the boys finished 9th overall, and 1st in small schools. This is the best finish in Husky wrestling history and the first time that the Huskies will be bringing home the 1st place trophy for small schools.

Individually, the Huskies finished with 8 total placers. Leading the way was 8th grader Jackson Peltier who capped off his middle school career with a championship at 174 pounds. En route to his title he collected 4 pins, 3 of which were in the first period. The next best finish was by 7th grader Logan Beck. Logan dominated his way to finals with 4 pins before falling to Jacob Morris of the Avalanche Wrestling Club (Anchorage). Finishing 5th was Kaden Vanbuskirk, Levi Wade, and first year Jax Salmeri. Levi dominated his way to the semi-finals before losing a hard fought battle to Jett Connely of SWDP. Kaden dropped his quarter final bout to eventual finalist Levi Shivers but battled his way back to end up in 5th place. Jax also battled his way to the semi-finals before losing to Houston’s Ethan Spencer. Also placing was 6th grader Rowyn Mayer placing 8th, this was Rowyn’s first year wrestling and showed some incredible grit during his first season. Placing for the girls was 6th grader Bryndi Beck and 8th grader Jewely Weber, both placing 6th. This was both Bryndi’s and Jewely’s first time placing at the Tanana Invitational and each had to win some razor close matches to fight their way onto the podium.
Congratulations to this year’s Husky wrestling Team!
See below for all results.

Boys 98

Rowyn Mayer’s place is 8th and has scored 12.0 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 – Rowyn Mayer (Valdez Middle School) received a bye () (Bye)
  • Champ. Round 2 – Rowyn Mayer (Valdez Middle School) won by decision over Jack Dvorak (Delta Junction Junior High School) (Dec 11-7)
  • Champ. Round 3 – Rowyn Mayer (Valdez Middle School) won by fall over Duke Blomfield (Grace Christian) (Fall 0:32)
  • Quarterfinal – Camden Messmer (Juneau Youth Wrestling Club) won by fall over Rowyn Mayer (Valdez Middle School) (Fall 1:56)
  • Cons. Round 6 – Rowyn Mayer (Valdez Middle School) won by fall over Easton Jones (Chugach Eagles Wrestling) (Fall 2:31)
  • Cons. Round 7 – Tanner Rhoton (Tanana Middle School) won by fall over Rowyn Mayer (Valdez Middle School) (Fall 1:49)
  • 7th Place Match – Emery Kirchner (Seward) won by major decision over Rowyn Mayer (Valdez Middle School) (Maj 9-0)

Boys 98

Bentlee Gilfillan’s place is unknown and has scored 3.0 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 – Bentlee Gilfillan (Valdez Middle School) received a bye () (Bye)
  • Champ. Round 2 – Shane Ostermiller (Colony Middle School) won by fall over Bentlee Gilfillan (Valdez Middle School) (Fall 1:52)
  • Cons. Round 2 – Bentlee Gilfillan (Valdez Middle School) won by fall over Porter O`Meara (Fronteras Middle School) (Fall 0:48)
  • Cons. Round 3 – Wyatt Zeiler (Chugach Eagles Wrestling) won by fall over Bentlee Gilfillan (Valdez Middle School) (Fall 2:31)

Boys 105

Cirque Carter’s place is unknown and has scored 8.0 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 – Cirque Carter (Valdez Middle School) won by fall over Keagan Meany (Randy Smith Middle School) (Fall 3:44)
  • Champ. Round 2 – Cirque Carter (Valdez Middle School) won by fall over Liam Matteson (Eielson Middle School) (Fall 2:50)
  • Champ. Round 3 – Lincoln Werner (SWDP) won by fall over Cirque Carter (Valdez Middle School) (Fall 1:19)
  • Cons. Round 4 – Jones Cardoso (Redington Jr/Sr High) won by fall over Cirque Carter (Valdez Middle School) (Fall 0:59)

Boys 110

Malin Blood’s place is unknown and has scored 8.0 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 – Malin Blood (Valdez Middle School) received a bye () (Bye)
  • Champ. Round 2 – McKade Moore (Skyview Middle School) won by fall over Malin Blood (Valdez Middle School) (Fall 1:51)
  • Cons. Round 2 – Malin Blood (Valdez Middle School) received a bye () (Bye)
  • Cons. Round 3 – Malin Blood (Valdez Middle School) received a bye () (Bye)
  • Cons. Round 4 – Malin Blood (Valdez Middle School) won by medical forfeit over Marshall Moat (Wasilla Middle School) (MFF)
  • Cons. Round 5 – Malin Blood (Valdez Middle School) won by fall over Joseph Gallahorn (Palmer Junior Middle School) (Fall 0:53)
  • Cons. Round 6 – Cayden Moore (North Pole Middle) won by fall over Malin Blood (Valdez Middle School) (Fall 0:56)

Boys 110

Brad Wheeler’s place is unknown and has scored 0.0 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 – Brad Wheeler (Valdez Middle School) received a bye () (Bye)
  • Champ. Round 2 – Quenten Halverson (SWDP) won by fall over Brad Wheeler (Valdez Middle School) (Fall 0:44)
  • Cons. Round 2 – Brad Wheeler (Valdez Middle School) received a bye () (Bye)
  • Cons. Round 3 – Gavin McIntyre (Palmer Junior Middle School) won by decision over Brad Wheeler (Valdez Middle School) (Dec 8-3)

Boys 114

Levi Wade’s place is 5th and has scored 19.0 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 – Levi Wade (Valdez Middle School) received a bye () (Bye)
  • Champ. Round 2 – Levi Wade (Valdez Middle School) won by fall over Dawson Folcik (Palmer Junior Middle School) (Fall 3:53)
  • Champ. Round 3 – Levi Wade (Valdez Middle School) won by fall over Dylan Poe (Grace Christian) (Fall 1:31)
  • Quarterfinal – Levi Wade (Valdez Middle School) won by fall over Gunner Stanley (Kenai Middle School) (Fall 4:13)
  • Semifinal – Jett Connolly (SWDP) won by fall over Levi Wade (Valdez Middle School) (Fall 4:43)
  • Cons. Semi – Jed Davis (Juneau Youth Wrestling Club) won by decision over Levi Wade (Valdez Middle School) (Dec 2-0)
  • 5th Place Match – Levi Wade (Valdez Middle School) won by decision over Kendall Wyble (SWDP) (Dec 5-3)

Boys 118

Robert Taylor’s place is unknown and has scored 7.0 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 – Robert Taylor (Valdez Middle School) received a bye () (Bye)
  • Champ. Round 2 – Robert Taylor (Valdez Middle School) won by fall over Isaiah Shepard (Redington Jr/Sr High) (Fall 0:55)
  • Champ. Round 3 – Levi Shivers (Avalanche Wrestling Association) won by fall over Robert Taylor (Valdez Middle School) (Fall 0:54)
  • Cons. Round 4 – Robert Taylor (Valdez Middle School) won by decision over James Serovy (Glennallen Middle School) (Dec 10-5)
  • Cons. Round 5 – Sylis Dinwiddie (Teeland Middles School) won by fall over Robert Taylor (Valdez Middle School) (Fall 2:31)

Boys 118

Kaden Vanbuskirk’s place is 5th and has scored 20.0 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 – Kaden Vanbuskirk (Valdez Middle School) received a bye () (Bye)
  • Champ. Round 2 – Kaden Vanbuskirk (Valdez Middle School) received a bye () (Bye)
  • Champ. Round 3 – Kaden Vanbuskirk (Valdez Middle School) won by major decision over Sebastian Echak (Mid Valley Wolves) (Maj 9-1)
  • Quarterfinal – Eli Faus (SWDP) won by decision over Kaden Vanbuskirk (Valdez Middle School) (Dec 4-2)
  • Cons. Round 6 – Kaden Vanbuskirk (Valdez Middle School) won by fall over Sheperd Korth (Glennallen Middle School) (Fall 0:42)
  • Cons. Round 7 – Kaden Vanbuskirk (Valdez Middle School) won by fall over Carter Day (Juneau Youth Wrestling Club) (Fall 0:53)
  • Cons. Semi – Jackson Carney (Wrangell Wolves) won in sudden victory – 1 over Kaden Vanbuskirk (Valdez Middle School) (SV-1 2-0)
  • 5th Place Match – Kaden Vanbuskirk (Valdez Middle School) won by fall over Oliver Dolchok (Avalanche Wrestling Association) (Fall 1:30)

Boys 118

Rylen Labonte’s place is unknown and has scored 0.0 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 – Rylen Labonte (Valdez Middle School) received a bye () (Bye)
  • Champ. Round 2 – Elisha Young (Kenai Middle School) won by fall over Rylen Labonte (Valdez Middle School) (Fall 4:37)
  • Cons. Round 2 – Rylen Labonte (Valdez Middle School) received a bye () (Bye)
  • Cons. Round 3 – Rylen Labonte (Valdez Middle School) received a bye () (Bye)
  • Cons. Round 4 – Carter Day (Juneau Youth Wrestling Club) won by fall over Rylen Labonte (Valdez Middle School) (Fall 2:00)

Boys 122

Logan Beck’s place is 2nd and has scored 30.0 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 – Logan Beck (Valdez Middle School) received a bye () (Bye)
  • Champ. Round 2 – Logan Beck (Valdez Middle School) won by fall over Avery Staggs (Seward) (Fall 1:24)
  • Champ. Round 3 – Logan Beck (Valdez Middle School) won by fall over Roy Huffman (Dillingham Middle School) (Fall 2:47)
  • Quarterfinal – Logan Beck (Valdez Middle School) won by fall over Axel Tibbe (Palmer Junior Middle School) (Fall 1:43)
  • Semifinal – Logan Beck (Valdez Middle School) won by fall over Justus Payne (Teeland Middles School) (Fall 4:54)
  • 1st Place Match – Jacob Morris (Avalanche Wrestling Association) won by fall over Logan Beck (Valdez Middle School) (Fall 2:39)

Boys 122

Spencer Disney’s place is unknown and has scored 0.0 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 – Spencer Disney (Valdez Middle School) received a bye () (Bye)
  • Champ. Round 2 – Brennen Roberts (Palmer Junior Middle School) won by fall over Spencer Disney (Valdez Middle School) (Fall 1:56)
  • Cons. Round 2 – Spencer Disney (Valdez Middle School) received a bye () (Bye)
  • Cons. Round 3 – Killian Hammock (Blatchley) won by decision over Spencer Disney (Valdez Middle School) (Dec 8-3)

Boys 126

Jackson Vincent’s place is unknown and has scored 0.0 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 – Jackson Vincent (Valdez Middle School) received a bye () (Bye)
  • Champ. Round 2 – Mason Doth (Nikiski) won by fall over Jackson Vincent (Valdez Middle School) (Fall 1:51)
  • Cons. Round 2 – Jackson Vincent (Valdez Middle School) received a bye () (Bye)
  • Cons. Round 3 – Kayden Ahern (Chugach Eagles Wrestling) won by fall over Jackson Vincent (Valdez Middle School) (Fall 1:36)

Boys 132

Dylan Passage’s place is unknown and has scored 8.0 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 – Dylan Passage (Valdez Middle School) received a bye () (Bye)
  • Champ. Round 2 – Dylan Passage (Valdez Middle School) won by fall over Enrique Sobarzo (Ryan) (Fall 0:17)
  • Champ. Round 3 – Avri Ginn (Palmer Junior Middle School) won by fall over Dylan Passage (Valdez Middle School) (Fall 1:34)
  • Cons. Round 4 – Dylan Passage (Valdez Middle School) won by decision over Kalvin Roach (Tok Middle School) (Dec 9-2)
  • Cons. Round 5 – Dylan Passage (Valdez Middle School) won by decision over Jacob Littlefish (Bethel Jr High) (Dec 6-1)
  • Cons. Round 6 – Elijah Trujillo (Haines Middle School) won in sudden victory – 1 over Dylan Passage (Valdez Middle School) (SV-1 7-5)

Boys 160

Gregory Scott’s place is unknown and has scored 0.0 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 – Gregory Scott (Valdez Middle School) received a bye () (Bye)
  • Champ. Round 2 – Gregory Scott (Valdez Middle School) received a bye () (Bye)
  • Champ. Round 3 – Joshua Barney (North Pole Middle) won by fall over Gregory Scott (Valdez Middle School) (Fall 0:13)
  • Cons. Round 4 – Gregory Scott (Valdez Middle School) received a bye () (Bye)
  • Cons. Round 5 – Zackery Summar (Tanana Middle School) won by fall over Gregory Scott (Valdez Middle School) (Fall 0:45)

Boys 174

Jackson Peltier’s place is 1st and has scored 34.0 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 – Jackson Peltier (Valdez Middle School) received a bye () (Bye)
  • Champ. Round 2 – Jackson Peltier (Valdez Middle School) received a bye () (Bye)
  • Champ. Round 3 – Jackson Peltier (Valdez Middle School) won by fall over Nehemiah Houston (Hopson Middle School) (Fall 0:33)
  • Quarterfinal – Jackson Peltier (Valdez Middle School) won by fall over Brody Nelson (Nikiski) (Fall 2:17)
  • Semifinal – Jackson Peltier (Valdez Middle School) won by fall over Rowdy McVey (Palmer Junior Middle School) (Fall 1:44)
  • 1st Place Match – Jackson Peltier (Valdez Middle School) won by fall over Ethan Spencer (Houston Middle School) (Fall 0:54)

Boys 174

Curtis Thomas’s place is unknown and has scored 0.0 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 – Curtis Thomas (Valdez Middle School) received a bye () (Bye)
  • Champ. Round 2 – Curtis Thomas (Valdez Middle School) received a bye () (Bye)
  • Champ. Round 3 – Bradley Allen (Tanana Middle School) won by fall over Curtis Thomas (Valdez Middle School) (Fall 0:38)
  • Cons. Round 4 – Curtis Thomas (Valdez Middle School) received a bye () (Bye)
  • Cons. Round 5 – Jeremia Rankin (Redington Jr/Sr High) won by fall over Curtis Thomas (Valdez Middle School) (Fall 0:54)

Boys 174

Jax Salmeria’s place is 5th and has scored 19.0 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 – Jax Salmeria (Valdez Middle School) received a bye () (Bye)
  • Champ. Round 2 – Jax Salmeria (Valdez Middle School) received a bye () (Bye)
  • Champ. Round 3 – Jax Salmeria (Valdez Middle School) won by fall over Shane Bailey (Dillingham Middle School) (Fall 1:13)
  • Quarterfinal – Jax Salmeria (Valdez Middle School) won by fall over David Spinelli (Palmer Junior Middle School) (Fall 2:33)
  • Semifinal – Ethan Spencer (Houston Middle School) won by fall over Jax Salmeria (Valdez Middle School) (Fall 2:08)
  • Cons. Semi – Mason Foster (SWDP) won by fall over Jax Salmeria (Valdez Middle School) (Fall 0:18)
  • 5th Place Match – Jax Salmeria (Valdez Middle School) won by fall over Bradley Allen (Tanana Middle School) (Fall 1:32)

Girls 89G

Bryndi Beck’s place is 6th and has scored 11.0 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 – Bryndi Beck (Valdez Middle School) received a bye () (Bye)
  • Champ. Round 2 – Bryndi Beck (Valdez Middle School) received a bye () (Bye)
  • Quarterfinal – Bryndi Beck (Valdez Middle School) won by fall over Ashlynn Akers (Redington Jr/Sr High) (Fall 4:46)
  • Semifinal – Claire Dyment (Bethel Jr High) won by fall over Bryndi Beck (Valdez Middle School) (Fall 1:27)
  • Cons. Semi – Victoria Smith (Eielson Middle School) won by decision over Bryndi Beck (Valdez Middle School) (Dec 4-2)
  • 5th Place Match – Ke`ala Lawrence (North Pole Middle) won by decision over Bryndi Beck (Valdez Middle School) (Dec 7-2)

Girls 105.5G

Heidi Francis’s place is unknown and has scored 2.0 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 – Gabriella Sanbei (Bethel Jr High) won by fall over Heidi Francis (Valdez Middle School) (Fall 2:56)
  • Cons. Round 1 – Heidi Francis (Valdez Middle School) received a bye () (Bye)
  • Cons. Round 2 – Heidi Francis (Valdez Middle School) won by decision over Solveig Finstad (Ryan) (Dec 7-1)
  • Cons. Round 3 – Caydence Nunley (Redington Jr/Sr High) won by fall over Heidi Francis (Valdez Middle School) (Fall 2:48)

Girls 113G

Jewely Weber’s place is 6th and has scored 9.0 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 – Jewely Weber (Valdez Middle School) received a bye () (Bye)
  • Champ. Round 2 – Jewely Weber (Valdez Middle School) won by decision over Sophia Ellibee (Colony Middle School) (Dec 10-9)
  • Quarterfinal – Helena Woodfork (Palmer Junior Middle School) won by fall over Jewely Weber (Valdez Middle School) (Fall 2:58)
  • Cons. Round 4 – Jewely Weber (Valdez Middle School) won by decision over Oriana Williams (Teeland Middles School) (Dec 5-2)
  • Cons. Round 5 – Jewely Weber (Valdez Middle School) won in sudden victory – 1 over Sophia Ellibee (Colony Middle School) (SV-1 5-3)
  • Cons. Semi – Kayden Makamson (Colony Middle School) won by decision over Jewely Weber (Valdez Middle School) (Dec 7-2)
  • 5th Place Match – Helena Woodfork (Palmer Junior Middle School) won by decision over Jewely Weber (Valdez Middle School) (Dec 4-3)

Girls 113G

Lily Groundwater’s place is unknown and has scored 4.0 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 – Lily Groundwater (Valdez Middle School) received a bye () (Bye)
  • Champ. Round 2 – Kayden Makamson (Colony Middle School) won by fall over Lily Groundwater (Valdez Middle School) (Fall 2:07)
  • Cons. Round 2 – Lily Groundwater (Valdez Middle School) received a bye () (Bye)
  • Cons. Round 3 – Lily Groundwater (Valdez Middle School) won by fall over Hazel Blair (Palmer Junior Middle School) (Fall 0:37)
  • Cons. Round 4 – Isabelle Kerr (Bethel Jr High) won by fall over Lily Groundwater (Valdez Middle School) (Fall 1:41)
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