The Homer Mariners wrestling team is nearing the end of its season, still ranked the No. 1 Division II team.
On Thursday, Nov. 30, the team, coaches and community took some time to recognize the senior team members who won’t be returning next year at their last-ever home event, a dual against Colony High School. Colony, the No. 1 ranked team in Division I, was in town for the North-South Tournament in Soldotna over the weekend, and assistant coach Chris Perk said he sought them out when deciding which team to invite to Homer’s senior night.
“I thought we wrestled tough,” Perk said.
Though the Mariners lost 51-22, Perk said it was a good experience and that the two teams have a good relationship.
“We’re in a situation where we have to go find good competition, so this was a great opportunity for them to come down (and) wrestle us,” he said.
Seniors Levi King, at 195, Kyle Wells at 220 and Alex Moseley at 120, all won their matches Thursday against Colony wrestlers. Another big win of the night was from junior Seth Inama, at 120 pounds, who beat Colony’s Vincent Cramer in an overtime takedown.
Seniors Chris Cudaback, at 170 pounds, Tristen Cook at 182 and Richard Brock at 285 lost their senior night matches, but all wrestled against tough opponents, according to a recap of the event from Perk.
Part of the night’s loss could be contributed to the 24 points Homer forfeited by not having all the weight classes filled.
“Obviously we’d like to have more numbers, you know, for weight classes, but the ones we’ve got I think are progressing nicely,” Perk said.
After the seniors had their spotlight, the team went to compete in the North-South Tournament at Soldotna Prep School over the weekend, where the Mariners took home five individual titles by Mosley, Wayne Newman at 126 pounds, Luciano Fasulo at 132, Mose Hayes at 138 and Wells. Homer came away with third place in the tournament overall.
Many of the wrestlers will head into the Conference Championships seeded in the top three competitors. The team competes at the championships this weekend in Seward.
For full results from the North-South Tournament, see the weekly sports highlights.
Reach Megan Pacer at megan.pacer@homernews.com.
Homer’s Chris Cudaback (right) wrestles with Frank Urbano of Colony in a 170-pound battle at the North-South tournament Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017 at Soldotna Prep School in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)
Junior wrestler Seth Inama grapples with Colony’s Vinna Cramer during a Senior Night dual between the teams Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017 in the Alice Witte Gymnasium in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
