Area wrestlers compete at national events

A number of local wrestlers competed at the USA Wrestling Western States Championships and USA Wrestling Kids Nationals Tournaments recently.

The boys events were held in Farmington, Utah, from June 17 to 27.

In the Western States Event from June 22 to 24, Kanin Kumfer of Kenai won the Greco, Freestyle and Folkstyle titles for 12-and-under 65 pounds. In Kids Nationals from June 26 to 27, Kumfer won Freestyle and was second in Greco at 12-and-under 67 pounds. This gave Kumfer All-American status for the second time and placed him on the USA Wrestling Kids National Team for the second year in a row.

Also at Western States, Soldotna’s Hudson Morris was first in Folkstyle at boys fifth and sixth grade 100 pounds, third in Greco at 14-and-under 96 pounds and fourth in Freestyle at 14-and-under 96 pounds.

Also at Western States, Kenai’s Hayden Kumfer was second in Greco, Freestyle and Folkstyle. Kumfer also competed at Women’s Nationals in April in Spokane, Washington, and was second in 15-and-under 79 pounds and third in 14-and-under 79 pounds to be a two-time All-American and qualify to compete in August in Colorado Springs, Colorado, for the USA Pan-American women’s wrestling team.

Homer’s Christabelle Minke competed at girls middle school 106 pounds at Western States and was fifth in Folkstyle, and did not place in Greco or Freestyle. Minke also was eighth at 14-and-under 105 pounds Freestyle at Women’s Nationals.

Homer’s Storey Cook competed at girls middle school 106 pounds at Western States and did not place in the three styles.

Homer’s Saoirse Cook competed in girls high school 130 pounds at Western States and took second in Greco, third in Freestyle and fourth in Folkstyle.

Homer’s Roan Cook competed at girls high school 180 pounds at Western States and was fifth in Freestyle.

Kenai's Kanin Kumfer. (Photo provided)