Nome-Beltz high school and middle school wrestlers took home top finishes again last weekend at the Lancer Smith Memorial Wrestling Tournament. The Mat-Su Valley competition is the only tournament of the year that combines the state’s large and small schools.
Of thirteen Nome middle school wrestlers, 7 placed. Natalie Tobuk was champion of her weight class, and Duke McGuffey and Lucas Marvin both earned second. Taking home third place for their weight classes were Son Erikson, Hayden Leeper, and Karlin Awinona-Smith. A fourth place win went to Ethan Hannon.
As for high schoolers, Starr Erikson defeated each of her opponents, again snagging first place. She remains Nome’s only undefeated wrestler, currently at 21-0 against female wrestlers across the state.
Nome’s Stephan Anderson and Chase Marvin both earned 2nd place, and Tobin Hobbs finished in 5th. Georgia Ustaszewski took home a 6th place finish in her weight class.
Next up for Nome-Beltz is the Grace Christian “Grizzly Grappler” tournament the week following Thanksgiving break.
Image at top: file photo: Nome’s Starr Erikson takes on a Bethel wrestler at the 2017 Nome Wrestling Invite. (Photo: Janeen Sullivan, used with permission.)
