Haines High School wrestlers held their own against large-school opponents at a Ketchikan tournament last weekend, with a trio of Glacier Bears notching third-place finishes.
Freshman Charlie Bower (113 pounds), sophomore Zane Durr (145 pounds) and senior Walker Blair (152 pounds) each finished third in their brackets. Bower and freshman Ketch Jacobson, who placed fourth, were wrestling up a weight class.
Freshman Mori Hays (138 pounds), junior Casey St. Clair (152 pounds) and sophomore Tyler Murphy (170 pounds) also were part of the seven-member Haines team in Ketchikan, but did not place.
Co-coach Dennis Durr noted “most of the guys we had, we placed” in Ketchikan, despite a field that included Juneau-Douglas, Thunder Mountain and about 10 other teams.
“They have bigger teams, but we placed in divisions with those schools, as well,” Durr said. “Our guys looked strong against them. We generally beat those guys in those divisions.”
He said Blair continues to be the team’s top state tournament threat, while a few other Glacier Bears are “right in the mix” for a state berth. The senior picked up four wins and only one loss in his bracket. “Walker’s covering that gap. He’s getting stronger every week.”
This weekend’s Juneau tournament is the last competition before regionals in Sitka next month.