ACS keeps Kachemak supremacy

The Anchorage Christian Schools wrestling team won its fourth straight Kachemak Conference tournament on Saturday at Seward High School.

The Lions edged out the Seahawks by three points. Also from the peninsula, Seldovia tied for fourth, Nikiski was sixth, Ninilchik was seventh, Voznesenka was eighth and Cook Inlet Academy was ninth.

The Lions, who also have won two of the last three small-schools state crowns, had six individual champions. They were Daniel Brandon at 112, Jonathan Downs at 119, Josh Baker at 125, Austin Bowden at 130, Nate Buck at 189 and Kevin Whitley at 275.

The Seahawks countered with five individual champions. They were Shane Douglas at 103, Koal Backlund at 140, Mitch Harris at 160, Will Chisholm at 171 and Brandon O’Brikis at 215.

Seward also had six other wrestlers qualify for state by finishing in the top three. Scott Reierson was third at 119, Mike Zweifel was third at 135, Matt Nyholm was third at 145, Dylan Beck was third at 152, William Clock was second at 160 and Jeremy Sandy was second at 171.

Seldovia had six wrestlers qualify for state in taking fourth. Jordan Geagle finished second at 215, Harold Haynes finished second at 275, Derek Burt finished third at 125, Matthew Gain finished fourth at 130, Oren Kroll finished third at 171 and Timothy O’Leary finished third at 189.

Nikiski qualified one wrestler for state. Chris Mapes finished second at 189. Joel Ribbens (171), Tyler Payment (152), Ancel Ware (135) and Matt Parker (103) lost in the third-place match for the Bulldogs.

Austin Vanderford was the lone state qualifier from Ninilchik. Vanderford won the title at 152 pounds. For Voznesenka, Joe Bassargin qualified for state at 140 by finishing second. Tyler Taplin finished fourth at 275 for Cook Inlet Academy.

Kachemak Conference Tournament

Team scores: 1. Anchorage Christian, 178; 2. Seward, 175; 3. Grace Christian, 79.5; 4 (tie). Houston, Seldovia, 78; 6. Nikiski, 45; 7. Ninilchik, 34; 8. Voznesenka, 20; 9. Cook Inlet Academy, 11.

Championship round

103 — Shane Douglas, Sew, p. Brooks Sutter, Gra; 112 — Daniel Brandon, ACS, dec. Dylan Hoch, ACS; 119 — Jonathan Downs, ACS, dec. Matt Baker, ACS; 125 — Josh Baker, ACS, dec. Jordan Neace, ACS; 130 — Austin Bowden, ACS, won by forfeit over Michael Miller, ACS; 135 — Jon Stinson, Hou, dec. Ryan Wirick, Gra; 140 — Koal Backlund, Sew, p. Joe Bassargin, Voz; 145 — Travis Machida, Gra, dec. Mikel Thompson, ACS; 152 — Austin Vanderford, Nin, p. Blake Elder, Hou; 160 — Mitch Harris, Sew, p. William Clock, Sew; 171 — Will Chisholm, Sew, dec. Jeremy Sandy, Sew; 189 — Nate Buck, ACS, p. Chris Mapes, Nik; 215 — Brandon O’Brikis, Sew, p. Jordan Geagle, Sel; 275 — Kevin Whitley, ACS, p. Harold Haynes, Sel.

Third-place matches

103 — Luke Charters, ACS, p. Matt Parker, Nik; 112 — Rachael Shannon, Hou, dec. Pavil Reutov, Voz; 119 — Scott Reierson, Sew, dec. Jefferson Klapak, Nin; 125 — Derek Burt, Sel, p. Aaron Wirick, Gra; 130 — Matthew Gain, Sel, p. Kyle Campbell, Sew; 135 — Mike Zweifel, Sew, dec. Ancel Ware, Nik; 140 — Peters Walls, Gar, dec. Cass Melin, Hou; 145 — Matt Nyholm, Sew, dec. Sam Belisle, Gra; 152 — Dylan Beck, Sew, dec. Tyler Payment, Nik; 160 — Matt Gardner, Hou, p. Justin Crowley, Hou; 171 — Oren Kroll, Sel, dec. Joel Ribbens, Nik; 189 — Timothy O’Leary, Sel, dec. Alan Logan, Sew; 215 — Joel Richwine, ACS, p. Logan McDonald, Sew; 275 — Garrett Mooney, Hou, dec. Tyler Taplin, CIA.