HISTORIC: Girl’s state title overshadows two wrestlers becoming four-time champs, Wasilla’s 3rd straight crown.
By RON WILMOT
Anchorage Daily News
Published: February 5, 2006
Last Modified: February 5, 2006 at 05:57 AM
Skyview sophomore Michaela Hutchison wasn’t the only wrestler to make history Saturday night at Chugiak High.
Her older brother Eli and West Valley’s David Wiese joined an elite group of Alaska wrestlers with four straight state titles.
The biggest roars of the 2,000 fans came when Michaela Hutchison escaped for a 1-0 win over Colony’s Aaron Boss, becoming the first girl in U.S. history to win a state wrestling championship while competing against boys.
As historic as that was, the two four-peats and Wasilla High’s third consecutive Class 4A team championship will always live long in Alaska wrestling history too.
By winning in dominating fashion, Wasilla joined West Valley, Service, Kenai, and Skyview as teams that have won three or more large-school state titles.
“It feels like a lot of stress is off, “said Wasilla head coach Shawn Hayes, who was named coach of the year. “The first year, we were wrestling tough but we were underdogs. This year, we were second to South at the first tournament, and we were first in every tournament after that.
“We were wondering how long we would be able to keep it up. Being on top is a different kind of pressure.”
Eli Hutchison and Wiese joined Chugiak’s Gary Steeby, West Valley’s Matt Mattson and Wasilla’s Jed Wade are the only four-time champions in state history.
But before Eli Hutchison could win his match, he had to sit courtside and nervously watch his sister.
Eli said he and Michaela grapple each other at home.
So who wins?
“Well, I do, “Eli said. “But I’ve got 40 pounds on her.”
Skyview coach Neldon Gardner beamed like a proud papa afterward.
“Those two work as hard as any wrestlers I’ve coached in 20 years, “he said. “It’s nice to see good things happen to good people.”
Eli scored a 14-4 major decision over South’s Matt Blakeslee to win the 135-pound title.
Wiese beat Wasilla’s Mike Trudeau 14-5 to win the 152-pound title. Wiese, who used to wrestle against Eli when they were kids competing at camps, finished undefeated against Alaska competition the past two years.
“I feel like I’ve just completed a life goal, “said Wiese soon after he got a congratulatory hug from Michaela. “Words can’t explain it.”
Summaries from the championship finals:
103 pounds — In an incredible way to start off the night, Skyview’s Michaela Hutchison slowly breaks free of Colony’s Aaron Boss to pull an escape with 15 seconds left for a 1-0 victory. Hutchison, a sophomore and runner-up at 103 last season, finished 41-4 with 33 pins.
112 pounds — Wasilla’s Alan Bartelli won his second consecutive state title with a 3-2 decision over Kodiak’s Jimmy Eggemeyer. Bartelli, who defeated Michaela Hutchison for the 103-pound title last year, led 3-1 but was called for stalling in the final seconds. Eggemeyer finished the season 39-2, with both losses coming against Bartelli.
119 pounds — In a match that was closer than the score indicated, Wasilla’s Sam Miller scored a 5-0 decision over Juneau’s Dante Santos. It was the first state title for Miller, who was able to successfully fend off Santos’ attack every time. Santos was the Crimson Bears’ only finalist.
125 pounds — Homer’s Simeon Daigle fended off a late takedown attempt to win a 7-4 decision over Kodiak’s Steven Gauna. Daigle, the No. 1 seed most of the season, lost to Gauna in the semifinals of last week’s Northern Lights Conference tournament.
130 pounds — Colony’s Hollan Gravley had little trouble in winning his third straight state title in a 15-5 major decision over Ted Nelvis of West. Gravley, a junior, finished the season 29-2.
135 pounds — Skyview senior Eli Hutchison capped off one the greatest wrestling careers in state history by winning his fourth straight state title with a 14-4 major decision over South’s Matt Blakeslee. Hutchison finished his high school career with a record of 192-5, undefeated against Alaska opponents. One of just three Alaska wrestlers to win a title at the Reno Tournament of Champions, a prestigious national tournament, Hutchison is bound for Boise State University next fall. He won his previous titles at 112, 119 and 135.
140 pounds — West’s Max Rosefigura won the Eagles’ only title of the evening with a 15-8 decision over Wasilla’s Duane Carpenter. Rosefigura, a state runner-up last season, won his first title.
145 pounds — Skyview’s Clark Buffington escaped three seconds into the second overtime to defeat Wasilla’s Trevor Pempek 2-1. Buffington, a three-time state placer, finished 42-3 with 31 pins. Pempek, a senior, is a three-time state finalist.
152 pounds — West Valley’s David Wiese scored a 14-5 major decision over Wasilla’s Mike Trudeau to become the second four-time state champ of the night. Wiese, who won his previous titles at 130, 145 and 160, finished his high school career with a 128-8 record. Trudeau, a senior, is a two-time Northern Lights Conference champion.
160 pounds — West Valley’s Jeremy Fulk won the Wolfpack’s second title of the night in a 6-3 decision over Sitka’s Dylan Bergman.
171 pounds — Chugiak’s Cayle Byers scored the first big upset of the night. He rolled West Valley’s Dustin Baxter, a defending state champion, to his back with seven seconds left to win a 7-4 decision before a raucous home crowd.
189 pounds — South’s Scott Lucas pinned Wasilla’s Jake Wade at 4:21 in the other big upset. Wade, a two-time defending state champ, led 5-1 late in the second round, but Lucas scored a reversal and nearfall at the buzzer to tie it 5-5. He quickly gained control in the third and pinned Wade, who entered the match with a 161-18 career record. Lucas, a two-time state finalist, won his first state championship.
215 pounds — South’s Mike Petrovich won his first state title in dramatic fashion, scoring an escape five seconds into the second overtime to defeat Bartlett’s Jess Hessock, 2-1. Petrovich was a finalist at heavyweight last season.
Heavyweight — In the final match of the night, West’s Steven McDonald scored a takedown six seconds into overtime to defeat Sitka’s Tyler Holmlund 7-5. Holmlund’s takedown at the buzzer tied the match 5-5 to send it to overtime.
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