Luke Johnson and Nathan Carstens wrestled to state individual championships and the Nikiski Bulldogs finished fourth in the team standing at the 1-2-3A ASAA State Wrestling Championships contested at Bartlett High School.
The Bulldogs advanced four wrestlers into the state tournament finals, with Carstens and Johnson battling to state titles.
Luke Johnson controlled the 220-pound weight class throughout the season. Luke finished unbeaten for a second-straight season and earned his second state championship ( 2013 at 195 lbs.). Luke won the championship match at 220 pounds in a major decision 9-1 over Kotzebue’s Stephan Hyatt. Luke’s only loss in three state championships was to his brother Lincoln in 2012 in the 195-pound championship match.
Nathan Carstens claims the 160-pound weight class with a 9-8 victory, scoring in the final seconds of the third period, over Ketchikan’s T. McBurnette. Nathan completed the season with a 32-3 overall record and has one more season, his senior year, to claim a second state title.
At 120 pounds, TJ Cox fell in a sudden death (sudden victory) match. TJ tied the match late in the third period to send the 120 lb. championship match into extra time. A takedown just :17 seconds into overtime sealed the win for Bethel’s Gage Hoffman.
Tyler Handley, at 152 pounds, lost a 4-1 decision to Spencer Woods of Kotzebue in the championship match.
Nikiski’s Jon McCormick won three-straight matches at 195 pounds before dropping his final two matches for a fourth-place finish.
Kotzebue won the 1-2-3A State Wrestling team championship outpointing reigning two-time champion Bethel, with Houston, third and Nikiski, fourth.
The first ever Alaska girls wrestling state tournament bracket produced one Kenai Peninsula weight class champion; as Homer’s Heather Harrington defeated Homer’s Alex Moseley. Eight weight class brackets were contested in the inaugural girls state competition. The 2014 tournament also included Southeast large school programs; although, 4A schools were not included in team scoring.
