TMHS finding its way on mat

Last weekend in Skagway, Thunder Mountain wrestling continued to build on what is a new - but solid - foundation for its program.

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In what was an informal tournament - where there were no team scores or medals given - the Falcons posted impressive results with 33 wins to 20 losses for the tournament, coach ChadRequa said.

There were several notable performances from the weekend. In the 112-pound class, Thomas Riley went 5-1 with four pins and a technical fall. His only loss came by a one-point decision. But in a rematch, Riley won by pinfall.

Nicole Nicholson, at 125 pounds, went 5-3 with two pins, and had what Requa described as a "great overtime victory."

In the 160-pound weight class, first-year wrestler Brian Koenig went 6-1 with four pins, and James Minchew went 7-1 with four pins.

Requa said 171-pounder Cameron Fronimos continued to impress after going 5-3 against some of the toughest wrestlers at the tournament. He said he is on track for a very successful season.

Requa said he got what he was hoping for at the tournament.

"You like it when you can see the pronounced improvement from match to match like we had," he said. "I had a lot of comments from coaches who saw us in Hoonah that said, 'Your kids are twice as good as they were two weeks ago,' which is exactly what I want to hear."

He said the only sour notes from the weekend were the minor injuries that some of the athletes sustained in the tournament. But other than that, Requa was happy with the time his wrestlers had to compete without worrying about points or team standings, he said.

"We were just matching kids up and giving them matches," he said. "That works out really well for me. The kids got the exposure without worrying about getting second, third or whatever."

Requa added that everyone on the team competed well, despite some records. In his first tournament ever, Jorge Vasquez finished 2-5 with one pin at 189 pounds, and despite losing, Requa said the 140-pound Jackson Pavitt wrestled tough in his only match of the weekend.

In the 171-pound weight class, Nick Ettinger went 1-0 after winning by pinfall in a mere 1:08, and Requa said Stephan Patz, another first-year wrestler, continues to improve every time he competes.

Both Juneau-Douglas and Thunder Mountain will be competing this weekend in Sitka.

•Matthew can be reached at matthew.tynan@juneauempire.com