The Popeye Wrestling Club traveled to Soldotna on April 2 for the Soldotna Whalers Freestyle Tournament. Popeye took 24 wrestlers who all wrestled their hearts out. Out of 24 wrestlers, Popeye brought home 14 medals: six in first place, five in second place and three in third place. Popeye placed sixth as a team out of 17 clubs.

 The following wrestlers participated on Saturday: Luca Fitzpatrick, Justus Grimes, Saoirse Cook, Timothy Cissney, Aria Hill, Dallas Walker, Zavier Hayes, Mose Hayes, Dimitri Hooks, Nestor Kalugin, Timothy Hatfield, Sadie Blake, Zoe Adkins, Mina Cavasos, Seth I’nama, Ian Stovall, Sierra Clark, Cole Bernier, McKenzie Cook, Christopher Cudaback, Levi King, Timothy Woo, and Tristen Cook. They all wrestled very well and for some of them this was their very first tournament. Popeye will travel to Wasilla this weekend for the Arctic Warriors’ two-day event. 

Popeye Results

First: Justus Grimes, Saoirse Cook, Christopher Cudaback, Levi King, Timothy Woo and Tristen Cook.

Second: Zavier Hayes, Nestor Kalugin, Mose Hayes, Seth I’nama and McKenzie Cook.

Third: Mina Cavasos, Damian Kerr and Ian Stovall.

Nine Anchor Kings place 

The Anchor Kings also competed in the Soldotna Whalers Freestyle Tournament. Twenty-two Anchor Kings Wrestlers attended this event eager and well rested due to the short travel time. 

The elementary age wrestlers stepped onto the mat looking serious and ready for competition, in their brand-new singlets; the Sons of the American Legion and the Anchor River Inn have been instrumental in supporting the Anchor Point community youth program. 

This was a great weekend for all of the wrestlers to demonstrate their capabilities and hone in on needed skills to reach individual goals to showcase at the Alaska State Competitions in Wasilla in four weeks.

Some of the great moments the weekend included unexpected wins, being the first to shoot, defending against the head and arm, staying tough on bottom, and increased endurance. Blake Newman got the fastest pin of the tournament in 0.24 seconds. 

The Anchor Kings Wrestlers of the Week were Parker Overson, Aiden Crane and Mischelle Wells. The Move of the Week was the Bulldog. Coach Bubba Wells and Coach Mick Wells continue to teach the kids to expect more of themselves each week and accept both wins and defeats as learning experiences. 

Anchor Kings Results

First: Wayne Newman.

Second: Carter Woodhead, Blake Newman, Heather Harrington, Tyler Johnson and Kyle Wells.

Third: Dawson Stokes, Michael Ritter and Hunter Harrington.