The Nome-Beltz Nanooks wrestling team closed out its season this weekend, while the school’s basketball teams opened theirs.
Nome wrestlers headed to Anchorage for the State Division II and Girls’ Wrestling Tournament Friday and Saturday. Nine students qualified for the tournament, including Starr Erikson, Madison Johnson, Sierra Tucker, Stephan Anderson, Ben Cross, Elden Cross, JJ Marble, Aaron Rose and Donald Smith.
In a 51-team tournament, the Nanooks tied Soldotna for eighth place, with 33 points.
The girls were led by Starr Erikson’s third-place finish in the 113-pound weight class. Ben Cross led the boys team with a third-place finish in the 145-pound.
Head coach Dudley Homelvig says although “there are always disappointments,” he’s proud of the team’s work. He says he’s looking forward to watching the strong middle-school group as they grow in the next few years.
On the court, the Nome-Beltz basketball teams hosted Galena in a pre-Christmas matchup last Thursday and Friday.
The boys team split its two-game series with the Hawks, losing the first game 41–46 and winning the second 63–43.
The Lady Nanooks faced tough competition and dropped both of their games against Galena, losing 60–45 on Thursday and 79–39 on Friday.
The Nome boys’ season record now stands at 1–1. After Christmas break, the Nanooks will jump into a busy regular season with the Subway Showdown in Nome on January 4th to 6th.
Image at top: Nome’s Aaron Rose wrestles at the 2017 Western Conference Regional competition two weekends ago. He was one of nine state qualifiers from Nome. (Photo: Janeen Sullivan, used with permission)
