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Barrow, Kotzebue wrestlers head to regions

December 3rd 6:50 pm | Van Williams Print this article   Email this article   Create a Shortlink for this article

After eight weeks of sweat, sacrifice and two-hour practices, the Northern Conference wrestling season comes down to this.

The region tournament is the most important competition of the year because it separates the contenders from the pretenders. The top three kids in each weight class advance to the state championships while the rest ponder what if.

"Now it is time to put all the hard work to the test," said Kotzebue coach Mark Lane.

The tournament represents different opportunities for the Kotzebue Huskies and Barrow Whalers.

For the Huskies, it presents a chance to validate their No. 5 state ranking.

For the Whalers, it represents a fresh start to a sometimes tough season.

Kotzebue is the king of the Northern Conference under Lane's leadership, and few people believe that will change this year.

"Kotzebue continues to be the overall team to beat in the north with Nome possessing some quality performers," said Barrow coach Steve Gillaspie. "With that said, it will be up to the rest of us to fill in the other slots in the state bracket."

The Northern Conference is heavy in lightweights, with 10 wrestlers ranked in the state from 106 to 152 pounds.

"Overall, the region over the past five years top to bottom is not on par with the other regions," said Gillaspie, who is inducted into the Alaska Wrestling Hall of Fame. "We do have quite a few kids, though, that will make some serious noise at state."

The region includes No. 1 ranked studs like 106-pounder Brett Reich of Kotzebue and Nome 120-pounder Gabe Cabrera.

The Huskies' Scott Hansen is No. 2 at 132.

Other northern wrestlers ranked include Kotzebue's Josh Roetman [sixth, 132], Doug O'Hara [fourth, 138], Landon Eck [fourth, 145] and Devon Phillips [third, 152].

"We are right where we need to be for this time of year," said Lane, a national champion in college. "The team is getting anxious and ready to compete."

The Thanksgiving break allowed the Huskies to lick their wounds.

"It gave the boys a weekend to rest their bodies and get their minds ready for this weekend," Lane said. "The break was good."

Kotzebue is a perennial state title contender each year, a product of Lane's no-nonsense work ethic.

"So far this season has been good," he said. "I have been pleased with the younger guys and how they continue to improve as the year goes. The upperclassmen have been good leaders and show what it takes to get to the next level."

In Barrow the holiday break proved positive as well.

"We've actually turned some corners in the practice room," said Gillaspie.

The Whalers are probably the youngest team in the state, with 14 of the 18 underclassmen going to regions.

"We have been steadily looking for someone to step up and score points," he said. "With the loss of Erich Pili, Dhanmark Angeles and Sam George, points are hard to come by."

Barrow has gotten a lift from new faces Trace Hudson, Lisita Tuai and Joe Martelle.

 

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