The Glacier Bears wrestling team began their season in Wrangell last weekend with a few new competitors. Teams from Ketchikan, Wrangell, Craig and Metlakatla were also at the competition.
Wesley Verhamme, a freshman who placed fourth in the 220-pound division, went 2-3 at the tournament. He said he was a little anxious wrestling in his first meet.
“I felt nervous…but I knew if I used the skills, moves and knowledge my coach gave me, I would do good.”
He, along with Emma Gillham, also a freshman, and sophomore Ulric Lehman are first-time wrestlers.
Gillham, competing in the 145-pound division, finished 0-2, but still felt positive about the experience. “I find it quite amusing,” she said in response to being asked about her feelings on being the only girl on the team. “Because men are awkward about a woman with the ability to take someone down.”
Lehman is a sophomore in the 285-pound division. He placed third with a record of 2-1.
“I thought there were gonna be a lot more heavyweights,” said Lehman.
After hearing stories about wrestling, Lehman said he felt despondent.
“I was mostly rooting for everyone else. I thought everyone else did a good job. My teammates (and) friends help me boost up my confidence.”
Junior Kamakana Kanahele, who has been wrestling for three years, is in the 220-pound division with Verhamme and finished with 1-3.
Coach Ben Bard said he saw a lot of potential in the team.
“(It’s) real early in the season and I can see a lot of places that we can improve…(It’s a) long season. We’ve got time to improve.”
The wrestlers continue to play what they call “push-up poker,” where wrestlers bet push ups instead of money, to pass time on the 36-hour ferry rides, an activity Haines wrestlers have done for years.
The team will head to Juneau October this weekend for another tournament.