The Nome Wrestling Invite showcases young talent
Eleven schools from around Alaska brought their wrestling teams to Nome last weekend for the Nome Wrestling Invite, an annual tournament, which is an important date on the sport’s calendar.
Action began Friday evening and went all day Saturday in a very well-run tournament, which was documented live on Track Wrestling’s internet software. There were two tournaments, one for high school and one for junior high wrestlers.
“There’s some pretty good kids here,” said Nome head coach Dudley Homelvig. “It’s the biggest team we’ve had in 25 years maybe.” Coach Homelvig is back after a year off from the head coaching job. “I was there everyday working with the kids,” he said. “It obviously wasn’t quite the same. After 36 years of doing this I have a pretty good idea of how to take beginners and turn them into quality wrestlers. I wasn’t unhappy to get back to doing that.”
Individual winners for the Nanooks were Karlin Awinona-Smith, JJ Marble, Natallie Tobuk, Ava Earthman, Eldon Cross, Georgianna Ustaszewski, Hayden Leeper, Jaden Jorgensen, and Son Erikson.
Coach Homelvig praised the returning adult wrestlers who’ve been helping with the program. Larry Pederson, Gabe Cabrera and Matt Michaels were lending a hand with the coaching. “With 47 kids on the mat I need all the quality help I can get,” said Homelvig. “I’m too old to do this all by myself.”
“That 145 pounder from Gambell, boy, he’s a tough young lad,” he said. “Georgie Ustazsewski never wrestled past the first period all weekend in a pretty large bracket. Some of our young kids got their first win. Lucas Marvin, a freshman, got to wrestle with Eldon [Cross] every day, a two-time state placer. Lucas ended up placing 4th in the same weight class as Eldon. Pretty good for a freshman to step out here and compete with juniors and seniors. Karlin Ahwinona-Smith got first in the first tournament of his high school career. There were lots of bright spots.”
Gambell brought eight wrestlers and put on a good showing with one champion, two seconds and a third place. “We’ve been working hard all year,” said head coach Ira Iworrigan. “They do a lot of work at home, subsistence, help out, they’re constantly active.”
“We’re looking forward to everybody coming up next weekend and having a great tournament there,” said Kotzebue coach Rod Eakin, who will hosting the Bush Brawl. “We’ve had some good matches. A lot of teams are in a building year, not a lot of seniors. Kotzebue has a lot of young wrestlers, we can improve a lot. But it’s been fun watching our young teams compete against one another. Everybody’s got a young team.”
Nanook Coach Dudley Homelvig has a standing rule for his wrestlers: If you want to grow a moustache you have to defeat the coach in a match. “If you’re man enough to beat the coach you’re man enough to grow a moustache,” he said. “I don’t care what the rule book says, that’s the coach’s rule. So it’s really inspired some kids. It’s been a fun thing over the years.” It’s been a few years since any one on the team has stepped forward to accept the challenge.
NOME WRESTLING INVITE
Varsity Finals - 103
Guaranteed Places
1st Place - Kaden Jackson of Shaktoolik High School
2nd Place - John Kubalack of Kotzebue High School
3rd Place - Karben Christensen of Galena Hawks
1st Place Match
Kaden Jackson (Shaktoolik High School) won by fall over John Kubalack (Kotzebue High School) (Fall 0:35)
3rd Place Match
Karben Christensen (Galena Hawks) received a bye () (Bye)
Varsity Finals - 112
Guaranteed Places
1st Place - Dean Paniptchuk of Shaktoolik High School
2nd Place - Correy Campbell of Gambell
3rd Place - Jordan Barger of Kotzebue High School
4th Place - Bon Akeya of Savoonga high school
1st Place Match
Dean Paniptchuk (Shaktoolik High School) won by decision over Correy Campbell (Gambell) (Dec 8-7)
3rd Place Match
Jordan Barger (Kotzebue High School) won by fall over Bon Akeya (Savoonga high school) (Fall 5:47)
Varsity Finals - 119
Guaranteed Places
1st Place - Taylor Kulukhon of Shaktoolik High School
2nd Place - Kyan Paul of Galena Hawks
3rd Place - Ethan Hannon of Nome High School
4th Place - Jonathan Oscar of Unalakleet Schools
1st Place Match
Taylor Kulukhon (Shaktoolik High School) won by fall over Kyan Paul (Galena Hawks) (Fall 5:16)
3rd Place Match
Ethan Hannon (Nome High School) won by injury default over Jonathan Oscar (Unalakleet Schools) (Inj. 0:34)
Varsity Finals - 125
Guaranteed Places
1st Place - Karlin Ahwinona-Smith of Nome High School
2nd Place - Connor Igkurak of Galena Hawks
3rd Place - Carter Kokeok of Shishmaref
1st Place Match
Karlin Ahwinona-Smith (Nome High School) won by major decision over Connor Igkurak (Galena Hawks) (Maj 13-5)
3rd Place Match
Carter Kokeok (Shishmaref ) received a bye () (Bye)
Varsity Finals - 130
Guaranteed Places
1st Place - Kevin Long of Galena Hawks
2nd Place - Steven Barger of Kotzebue High School
3rd Place - Shandon Igkurak of Galena Hawks
1st Place Match
Kevin Long (Galena Hawks) won by fall over Steven Barger (Kotzebue High School) (Fall 0:23)
3rd Place Match
Shandon Igkurak (Galena Hawks) received a bye () (Bye)
Varsity Finals - 135
Guaranteed Places
1st Place - Jj Marble of Nome High School
2nd Place - Caelin Kingeekuk of Savoonga high school
3rd Place - Chase Noongwook of Savoonga high school
4th Place - Jeremy Koozaata of Gambell
1st Place Match
Jj Marble (Nome High School) won by fall over Caelin Kingeekuk (Savoonga high school) (Fall 0:56)
3rd Place Match
Chase Noongwook (Savoonga high school) won by tech fall over Jeremy Koozaata (Gambell) (TF 19-4)
Varsity Finals - 140
Guaranteed Places
1st Place - Weston Slatter of Susitna Valley Jr/Sr High School
2nd Place - Coltrane Chase of Kotzebue High School
3rd Place - Skylar Reich-Brown of Kotzebue High School
4th Place - Galen Edwards of Savoonga high school
1st Place Match
Weston Slatter (Susitna Valley Jr/Sr High School) won by decision over Coltrane Chase (Kotzebue High School) (Dec 3-1)
3rd Place Match
Skylar Reich-Brown (Kotzebue High School) won by fall over Galen Edwards (Savoonga high school) (Fall 4:35)
Varsity Finals - 145
Guaranteed Places
1st Place - Nikolai Avalnun of Gambell
2nd Place - Adaon Charlie of Galena Hawks
3rd Place - Raymond Ningeulook of Shishmaref
4th Place - Kenny Eutuk of Shishmaref
1st Place Match
Nikolai Avalnun (Gambell) won by fall over Adaon Charlie (Galena Hawks) (Fall 2:26)
3rd Place Match
Raymond Ningeulook (Shishmaref ) won by fall over Kenny Eutuk (Shishmaref ) (Fall 1:18)
Varsity Finals – 152
Guaranteed Places
1st Place – Eldon Cross of Nome High School
2nd Place – R Troyer of Kotzebue High SchoolE Waska of Galena
4th Place – L Marvin of Nome High School
1st Place Match
Eldon Cross of Nome defeated R Troyer of Kotzebue in a fall at 1:57
3rd Place Match
E Waska of Galena defeated L Marvin of Nome in a fall at 2:44.
Varsity Finals - 160
Guaranteed Places
1st Place - Peter Nelson of Kotzebue High School
2nd Place - Jeremy Phillip of Galena Hawks
3rd Place - Cody Kramer of Kotzebue High School
4th Place - David Fetters of Galena Hawks
1st Place Match
Peter Nelson (Kotzebue High School) won by fall over Jeremy Phillip (Galena Hawks) (Fall 1:19)
3rd Place Match
Cody Kramer (Kotzebue High School) won by fall over David Fetters (Galena Hawks) (Fall 3:15)
Varsity Finals - 189
Guaranteed Places
1st Place - Dalton Pinard of Susitna Valley Jr/Sr High School
2nd Place - Simeon Waite of Susitna Valley Jr/Sr High School
3rd Place - Skyley Ungwiluk of Gambell
4th Place - Kusmak Tuday of Kotzebue High School
1st Place Match
Dalton Pinard (Susitna Valley Jr/Sr High School) won by fall over Simeon Waite (Susitna Valley Jr/Sr High School) (Fall 3:16)
3rd Place Match
Skyley Ungwiluk (Gambell) won by fall over Kusmak Tuday (Kotzebue High School) (Fall 2:58)
Varsity Finals - 215
Guaranteed Places
1st Place - Derek Seppilu of Savoonga high school
2nd Place - Kai Whitmore of Kotzebue High School
3rd Place - David Johnston of Susitna Valley Jr/Sr High School
4th Place - Travis Takak of Shaktoolik High School
1st Place Match
Derek Seppilu (Savoonga high school) won by fall over Kai Whitmore (Kotzebue High School) (Fall 1:40)
3rd Place Match
David Johnston (Susitna Valley Jr/Sr High School) won by fall over Travis Takak (Shaktoolik High School) (Fall 0:31)
Girls Fianls - 112G
Guaranteed Places
1st Place - Branwen Keenan of Susitna Valley Jr/Sr High School
2nd Place - Trinity Miner of Kotzebue High School
1st Place Match
Branwen Keenan (Susitna Valley Jr/Sr High School) won by fall over Trinity Miner (Kotzebue High School) (Fall 2:46)
Girls Fianls - 119G
Guaranteed Places
1st Place - Natallie Tobuk of Nome High School
2nd Place - Zaida Baldwin of Kotzebue High School
3rd Place - Katie Smith of Nome High School
1st Place Match
Natallie Tobuk (Nome High School) won by decision over Zaida Baldwin (Kotzebue High School) (Dec 4-3)
3rd Place Match
Katie Smith (Nome High School) received a bye () (Bye)
Girls Fianls - 125G
Guaranteed Places
1st Place - Ava Earthman of Nome High School
2nd Place - Della Medlin of Nome High School
3rd Place - Arianna Askoak of Galena Hawks
1st Place Match
Ava Earthman (Nome High School) won by fall over Della Medlin (Nome High School) (Fall 1:55)
3rd Place Match
Arianna Askoak (Galena Hawks) received a bye () (Bye)
Girls Fianls - 145G
Guaranteed Places
1st Place - Georgia Ustaszewski of Nome High School
2nd Place - Emily Adams of Koyuk
3rd Place - Milena Kaganak of Galena Hawks
4th Place - Kyra Billings of Kotzebue High School
1st Place Match
Georgia Ustaszewski (Nome High School) won by fall over Emily Adams (Koyuk) (Fall 0:24)
3rd Place Match
Milena Kaganak (Galena Hawks) won by fall over Kyra Billings (Kotzebue High School) (Fall 1:27)
Girls Fianls - 160G
Guaranteed Places
1st Place - Candace Wilson of Kotzebue High School
2nd Place - Annie Hoogendorn of Koyuk
3rd Place - Madelyn Nashoanak of Galena Hawks
4th Place - Brittney Adams of Koyuk
1st Place Match
Candace Wilson (Kotzebue High School) won by fall over Annie Hoogendorn (Koyuk) (Fall 0:49)
3rd Place Match
Madelyn Nashoanak (Galena Hawks) won by fall over Brittney Adams (Koyuk) (Fall 5:58)
Girls Fianls - 189G
Guaranteed Places
1st Place - Lexi Ivanoff of Unalakleet Schools
2nd Place - Manu Booshu of Gambell
1st Place Match
Lexi Ivanoff (Unalakleet Schools) won by fall over Manu Booshu (Gambell) (Fall 1:54)
Round 3
Milo Huntington (Galena) won by fall over Seth Nayokpuk (Shishmaref ) (Fall 3:27)
Middle School Finals - 86
Guaranteed Places
1st Place - Cody Aningayou of Gambell
2nd Place - Young Erikson of Nome Junior High
3rd Place - Brandon Rose of Nome Junior High
1st Place Match
Cody Aningayou (Gambell) won by fall over Young Erikson (Nome Junior High) (Fall 0:40)
3rd Place Match
Brandon Rose (Nome Junior High) received a bye () (Bye)
Middle School Finals - 98
Guaranteed Places
1st Place - Hayden Leeper of Nome Junior High
2nd Place - Ricky Paniptchuk of Shaktoolik
3rd Place - Michael Marvin of Nome Junior High
1st Place Match
Hayden Leeper (Nome Junior High) won by decision over Ricky Paniptchuk (Shaktoolik) (Dec 8-6)
3rd Place Match
Michael Marvin (Nome Junior High) received a bye () (Bye)
Middle School Finals - 110
Guaranteed Places
1st Place - Son Erikson of Nome Junior High
2nd Place - Bryson Homekingkeo of Koyuk
3rd Place - Marcus Evan of Shaktoolik
4th Place - Max Gray of Nome Junior High
1st Place Match
Son Erikson (Nome Junior High) won by fall over Bryson Homekingkeo (Koyuk) (Fall 0:17)
3rd Place Match
Marcus Evan (Shaktoolik) won by fall over Max Gray (Nome Junior High) (Fall 1:11)
Middle School Finals - 134
Guaranteed Places
1st Place - Jaden Jorgenson of Nome Junior High
2nd Place - Dustin Otton of Nome Junior High
3rd Place - Dalton Buffas of Nome Junior High
4th Place - Wyatt Ahmasuk of Nome Junior High
1st Place Match
Jaden Jorgenson (Nome Junior High) won by fall over Dustin Otton (Nome Junior High) (Fall 2:37)
3rd Place Match
Dalton Buffas (Nome Junior High) won by fall over Wyatt Ahmasuk (Nome Junior High) (Fall 2:17)
Middle School Finals - 205
Guaranteed Places
1st Place - Seth Nayokpuk of Shishmaref
2nd Place - Milo Huntington of Galena
3rd Place - Aaren Sommer of Galena
1st Place Match
Seth Nayokpuk (Shishmaref ) won by fall over Milo Huntington (Galena) (Fall 2:20)
3rd Place Match
Aaren Sommer (Galena) received a bye () (Bye)
