Senior Zane Durr plowed through his 152-pound bracket at a wrestling tournament in Ketchikan last weekend, but was denied in the championship match.
Durr picked up two pins and a major decision in his first three matches before losing an 11-9 decision to a Craig wrestler with only one loss on the season, according to records posted at http://www.trackwrestling.com.
His father and coach, Dennis Durr, said a “controversial, rough call” for an illegal hold helped the Craig grappler secure the win. The Glacier Bear’s runner-up performance occurred during yet another jam-packed week of school activities.
“He missed practice all week for Honor Music Fest (in Wrangell), so I don’t know how he pulled it off,” coach Durr said.
Other competitors for Haines included junior Charlie Bower, 4-2 and fifth place at 120 pounds; sophomore Cameron Bauer, 3-2 and fourth place at 126 pounds; junior Ketch Jacobson, 2-3 and sixth place at 132 pounds; senior Trevor Cox, 2-3 and sixth place at 138 pounds; senior Kai Hays, 4-2 and fifth place at 160 pounds; and senior Tyler Murphy, 1-2 and fourth place at 195 pounds.
Overall, the Glacier Bears were sixth of 15 teams, behind Ketchikan, Craig, Mount Edgecumbe, Thunder Mountain and Sitka. Haines finished ahead of Wrangell for the first time this season and topped Metlakatla, Thorne Bay, Petersburg, Juneau-Douglas, Hoonah, Kuskokwim Learning Academy, Hydaburg and Klawock, as well.
The Haines grapplers next head to Anchorage Christian this weekend for a meet where “every small school in the state shows up,” Durr said. He noted the 152-pounder Durr and Kai Hays are planning to compete in Anchorage rather than participate in this weekend’s Drama, Debate and Forensics meet in Haines.
The wrestling schedule then is free until an early December competition in Sitka, due to a canceled meet in Kake and the Thanksgiving holiday break. Durr said he is hoping to set up some matches in Haines to fill the gap.