Haines High School wrestlers will compete this weekend at the regional tournament in Petersburg.
Coach Dennis Durr said this year’s squad is on the cusp of putting up big numbers. “We might be taking a couple guys and we might be taking eight guys (to state),” Durr said. “Everybody has a chance to make it.”
After nearly a month without a meet, a refreshed Haines squad placed sixth of 15 squads at a Sitka competition last weekend.
Durr said the layoff didn’t lead to much rust for the Glacier Bears, who were happy for a break from the “monotony of practice.”
“These guys got a lot of practice in, instead of all the travel on the ferries,” Durr said.
Sophomore Cameron Bauer finished second at 126 pounds. He tallied wins by technical fall and decision before losing to a Wrangell opponent in the championship match.
Junior Ketch Jacobson (132 pounds), senior Zane Durr (152 pounds) and freshman Kamakana Kanahele (220 pounds) each earned third-place finishes.
Jacobson opened with a loss but rebounded for two pins. Durr went 3-1 at the tournament, with two pins and a decision. His only loss was in a match that went to “sudden victory” extra time against a Thunder Mountain grappler. Kanahele picked up two decisions following a quarterfinal defeat.
Other records for the Glacier Bears included senior Trevor Cox, 2-2 at 138 pounds; junior Mori Hays, 1-2 at 145 pounds; senior Kai Hays, 2-2 at 160 pounds; and senior Tyler Murphy, 1-2 at 182 pounds.
Overall, the Glacier Bears trailed Craig, Wrangell, Mount Edgecumbe, Petersburg and Sitka and were one spot ahead of Thunder Mountain. Coach Durr noted this was the first time Haines topped the Falcons in scoring this season.
Durr said 120-pounder Charlie Bower, a junior, missed the Sitka competition due to injury but is expected to compete at this weekend. The top four finishers in each weight class advance to state.