The Homer High School wrestling team headed north to Kotzebue for the Bush Brawl last week.

After being caught by Barrow’s Jonathan Nelson on Thursday night, Mariner Jared Brant avenged the loss, finishing first at 120 pounds. Joining him as a Bush Brawl champion was Timmy Woo, 138. Woo went 5-0 over the weekend and defeated Mathew Norton of Galena in the final 19-5. 

Eleven teams from the Northwest competed in the two-day Bush Brawl. Homer placed second overall with 152 points. Kotzebue continued their stay at No. 1 with more than 200 points. 

On the Brawl’s opening day, Homer dualed Kotzebue, the number one ranked team in the state, and Barrow, the No. 10 ranked team. Homer is currently ranked No. 6 following the ACS Invitational earlier this month.

Kotzebue caught the Mariners with a bit of jet lag and won 57-16. In the Barrow dual, Homer battled to a 53-30 victory. JV wrestler Levi King ended the final match with a come-from-behind pin against Barrow’s Tyler Farless in the third period.

Five Mariners secured runner-up finishes, including Sean Blaine, who bumped up to 106 since there were no 98-pound competitors. Blaine pinned Brennon Sun of Shungnak in the first period. Jaime Rios, 132, lost 2-0 in overtime to Colton Sieh of Kotzebue. Freshman Tristan Cook continued to do well at 160 pounds, finishing second. Antonio Ochoa, 170, and Matthew Pollack, 182, each took second place. Kyle Wells, 152, placed third overall.

The team duals No. 2 ranked Bethel at 6 p.m. Thursday in the team’s only home meet of the season. Seniors Julian Richburg, 145, Antonio Ochoa, 170, Danny Rios, 220 and Voznesenka’s Gavril Kalugin, 145, will be honored. 

The team travels to Nikiski for duals on Friday and Saturday.