Mori Hays led the effort for the Haines four-man wrestling team this past weekend in Juneau.
Hays, a 152-pound senior, finished the tournament 3-2 to earn fourth place out of 16 wrestlers. Given several wrestlers came from large schools, including Colony in Anchorage, Coach Dennis Durr was pleased with Hays’ efforts.
“It was a good, strong, great weekend for Mori. It’s too early to say for sure, but it’s looking like he’s in the mix for a run at state. He should definitely be a top contender at regionals.”
Durr added, “If Mori keeps his momentum building, he may go to the state’s biggest invite tournament in Anchorage in two weeks, which would be really exciting for him and for the team. He’s got a great attitude and his demeanor is excellent, so we’ll see if we can get him there.”
Ketch Jacobson, another 152-pound senior, finished his weekend 1-2.
Durr said: “Ketch probably needs to drop down one weight division to be more successful. He’s trying hard. But he’s a bit undersized to actually wrestle at that weight and stay strong compared to guys who are probably 10 pounds heavier most of the time, but who cut weight for competition. We’ll get him there.”
Kamakana Kanahele, a sophomore in the 220-pound division, finished 0-2, but pushed last year’s 3A regional champ from Sitka to a full three rounds.
“I am proud of myself,” Kanahele said. “I went all three rounds without getting a half-nelson put on me and I survived all three rounds. That’s all I have to say. Well, that and…I did get pinned by Caleb Groshong from Wrangell, but I consider him one of the best in the area.”
The team’s fourth member, freshman heavyweight Nathan Haas, earned his first career victory and finished the tournament 1-1.
“I feel pretty good about it. It’s kind of a big achievement (winning a match) because it’s the first goal I set for myself. In the future, I’d like to improve on my stamina because when I’m good, I’m good, but when I’m out of it, I’m really out of it.”
Durr added, “Nathan had a good weekend and he’s got a strong career in front of him.”
The team’s next action will be at a tournament in Ketchikan on Oct. 28-29.