Submitted by Coach Deaton
This past weekend Buccaneer wrestling traveled up to the ASAA state championships where 10 wrestlers competed to make the podium. Qualifying for the tournament was: Rylen Labonte, Eli Critchlow, Landon Metzger, Romen Weber, AJ Tudela, Warren Blood, Mckennan Mayer, DJ Baron, Jewely Weber, and Carlie Vanbuskirk. Leading the way for the Bucs was senior Mckennan Mayer (2nd 189lbs), Carlie Vanbuskirk (2nd 152lbs), and Romen Weber (3rd 160lbs).
Mckennan cruised his way to the finals, picking up a technical fall, fall, and major decision to make the finals where he fell Craig High School’s Bryant Holloway. Mckennan ends his high school career as a two time state placer, placing 4th in 2022 and 2nd in 2023.
Carlie dominated her first two matches to make the semi-finals where she snuck past Metlakatla’s Lexi Cook 3-2 to make the finals. In the finals Carlie faced Dimond’s Jazarra O’neil, the match went back and forth for all three periods but a late takedown by Jazarra won her the match by a score of 9-5. Carlie finishes her junior season as three time state placer with a record of 27-1.
Romen won the iron man award this past weekend, after dropping his first match of the tournament, Romen rattled off 5 wins in a row to come back and place third. Two of those victories were won with scores occurring in the final 10 seconds of the match. Romen finishes his Junior as a 1st time placer with a record of 31-12.
Congrats to all Buccaneer wrestlers for a great season and thank you to all staff, admin, parents, donors, coaches, and volunteers who have supported our wrestlers. Go Bucs!
ASAA/FNBA DII State Championships Results for Valdez High School
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Rylen Labonte (6-10) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Cache Henning (Unalaska) 11-8 won by fall over Rylen Labonte (Valdez High School) 6-10 (Fall 4:29)
Cons. Round 1 – Anthony Kapotak (Dillingham High School) 14-12 won by fall over Rylen Labonte (Valdez High School) 6-10 (Fall 2:22)
145
Eli Critchlow (23-13) place is unknown and scored 1.0 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Cassian Fisher (Kwethluk) 6-4 won by fall over Eli Critchlow (Valdez High School) 23-13 (Fall 1:29)
Cons. Round 1 – Eli Critchlow (Valdez High School) 23-13 won by decision over Gabriel Livaudais (Eielson High School) 16-16 (Dec 7-4)
Cons. Round 2 – Delen Byrd (Kenai Central High School) 9-9 won by major decision over Eli Critchlow (Valdez High School) 23-13 (MD 10-2)
152
Landon Metzger (17-10) place is unknown and scored 4.0 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Landon Metzger (Valdez High School) 17-10 won by fall over Earl Ivanoff (Unalakleet Schools) 2-7 (Fall 0:33)
Quarterfinal – Keegan Hanson (Wrangell Wolves) 29-1 won by fall over Landon Metzger (Valdez High School) 17-10 (Fall 1:26)
Cons. Round 2 – Atigun Pensley (Mt. Edgecumbe High School) 5-4 won by major decision over Landon Metzger (Valdez High School) 17-10 (MD 18-7)
160
Romen Weber (31-12) placed 3rd and scored 17.0 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – William Douglas (Delta) 18-8 won by decision over Romen Weber (Valdez High School) 31-12 (Dec 9-4)
Cons. Round 1 – Romen Weber (Valdez High School) 31-12 won by decision over Jacob Hamberger (Cordova ) 7-6 (Dec 8-2)
Cons. Round 2 – Romen Weber (Valdez High School) 31-12 won by fall over Averon Katcheak (Stebbins) 1-2 (Fall 4:28)
Cons. Round 3 – Romen Weber (Valdez High School) 31-12 won by fall over Jake Martin (Nikiski High School) 23-11 (Fall 4:57)
Cons. Semi – Romen Weber (Valdez High School) 31-12 won by decision over William Douglas (Delta) 18-8 (Dec 6-4)
3rd Place Match – Romen Weber (Valdez High School) 31-12 won by decision over Samson Smith (Mt. Edgecumbe High School) 14-6 (Dec 5-3)
171
Aj Tudela (19-16) place is unknown and scored 3.0 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Zach Bergford (Cordova ) 16-9 won by fall over Aj Tudela (Valdez High School) 19-16 (Fall 1:52)
Cons. Round 1 – Aj Tudela (Valdez High School) 19-16 won by medical forfeit over Jackson Wittmer (Nikiski High School) 21-9 (M. For.)
Cons. Round 2 – Wyatt Milnes (Redington Sr. Jr/Sr High School) 17-7 won by fall over Aj Tudela (Valdez High School) 19-16 (Fall 2:14)
171
Warren Blood (10-11) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Wyatt Milnes (Redington Sr. Jr/Sr High School) 17-7 won by fall over Warren Blood (Valdez High School) 10-11 (Fall 1:53)
Cons. Round 1 – Jonas Anderson (Petersburg) 20-6 won by fall over Warren Blood (Valdez High School) 10-11 (Fall 4:19)
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Mckennan Mayer (24-5) placed 2nd and scored 21.5 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Mckennan Mayer (Valdez High School) 24-5 won by tech fall over Micah Howell (Delta) 16-12 (TF-1.5 3:06 (22-6))
Quarterfinal – Mckennan Mayer (Valdez High School) 24-5 won by fall over Paaraq Nelson (Mt. Edgecumbe High School) 10-6 (Fall 2:46)
Semifinal – Mckennan Mayer (Valdez High School) 24-5 won by decision over Landon Burke (Bethel High School) 18-7 (Dec 11-4)
1st Place Match – Bryant Holloway (Craig High School) 24-0 won by decision over Mckennan Mayer (Valdez High School) 24-5 (Dec 9-2)
285
Dennis Baron (6-11) place is unknown and scored 2.0 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Dennis Baron (Valdez High School) 6-11 won by decision over Canyon Wrigley (Delta) 13-13 (Dec 5-2)
Quarterfinal – Mayaac Schmit (Nikiski High School) 25-5 won by fall over Dennis Baron (Valdez High School) 6-11 (Fall 0:56)
Cons. Round 2 – Donovan Standifer (Mt. Edgecumbe High School) 10-3 won by major decision over Dennis Baron (Valdez High School) 6-11 (MD 10-2)
ASAA/FNBA Girls State Championships Results for Valdez High School
120G
Jewely Weber (6-16) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points.
Prelim – Danika Dawley (North Pole Patriots ) 39-4 won by fall over Jewely Weber (Valdez High School) 6-16 (Fall 2:48)
Prelim – Julie Hardison (Palmer High School) 11-14 won by fall over Jewely Weber (Valdez High School) 6-16 (Fall 5:09)
152G
Carlie VanBuskirk (25-1) placed 2nd and scored 21.5 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Carlie VanBuskirk (Valdez High School) 25-1 won by tech fall over Kaylee Paulson (Palmer High School) 10-10 (TF-1.5 4:51 (18-2))
Quarterfinal – Carlie VanBuskirk (Valdez High School) 25-1 won by fall over Maci Burkeen (Eielson High School) 16-12 (Fall 2:29)
Semifinal – Carlie VanBuskirk (Valdez High School) 25-1 won by decision over Lexi Cook (Metlakatla High School) 21-9 (Dec 4-2)
1st Place Match – Jahzara O`Neil (Dimond) 4-0 won by decision over Carlie VanBuskirk (Valdez High School) 25-1 (Dec 9-5)