As 2024 comes to a close, Nome-Beltz Middle High School added one more state championship to its tally with a triumphant run by senior wrestler Wyatt Ahmasuk.
The upperclassmen earned pins in every match en route to the Division II 189 lb championship. From a referee’s position in the second period of the championship match, Ahmasuk hoisted Mt. Edgecumbe’s Kaden Hermann into the air then slammed him into the ground.
The move drew “oohs” from the crowd as his opponent’s fate became apparent. Ahmasuk then drove Hermann’s shoulders into the ground while burying his own face in the mat to maximize his leverage.
Just 18 seconds after the referee’s position, Ahmasuk’s fate as state champion was sealed.
Ahmasuk threw his hands in the air to revel in the applause at Anchorage’s Alaska Airlines Center. The team’s volunteer coach, Wilson Hoogendorn jumped up and down as Head Coach Corey Erikson applauded his proclaimed “Star of the State Tournament.”
While Ahmasuk emerged as state champion, he wasn’t the only standout amongst the Nanooks.
Senior Lacey Sherman dominated until facing a stout South Anchorage High School opponent in the semifinal. She went on to earn 4th in the 145G class in a competitive match against Chugiak’s Rylie Boyscout. Coach Erikson said she demonstrated “true grit” this year fighting through a knee injury.
Renee Brown earned a 6th place finish in the 100G class to cap off a productive sophomore season.
“Renee battled tough all year in all tournaments and this was no exception,” Coach Erikson said.
On the boy’s side, junior Ben Milton also earned 6th place after five hard fought matches in the consolation rounds for the 140 lb division.
“Ben wasn’t seeded and showed that he can wrestle with anyone,” Coach Erikson said.
Young Erikson earned the team three points but fell short of placing after facing off against tough competition from Bethel in the consolation tournament. Talan Johnson also missed out on placing, but fought hard in his two matches against athletes from Valdez and Unalaska.
Rayden Cross fell short of placing after lining up against tough competition in the 189 lb class from Mt. Edgecumbe, including Hermann who went on to face Ahmasuk in the championship match.
Freshmen Treydon Thomas and Leyna Ulroan also missed out on points, but showed flashes this year that are giving Coach Erikson optimism for the future of the program.
“As a team and individually we had our ups and downs this season,” Coach Erikson said. “Other than losing two awesome seniors, I am very excited about the next year to come. We have very solid wrestlers coming back and my expectations for them, and I am sure themselves, is very high.”
