Wrestling roundup: Soldotna beats Kenai; Homer tops Barrow

The Soldotna wrestling team defeated Kenai Central 48-18 on Thursday in a dual meet at Soldotna Prep.

The Kardinals actually went 4-2 in contested matches during the meet, but the Stars claimed six forfeits to cruise to the win.

“I wish they would have had more kids, because then more of our kids would have gotten to compete,” said Soldotna coach Neldon Gardner. “But the good part of their small team is they are all tough kids.”

That meant that several of the matches stood out to Gardner and Kenai coach Stan Steffensen.

At 160 pounds, Kenai’s Keyshawn McEnerney defeated Soldotna’s Talon Musgrave by major decision at 15-5. McEnerney is now 4-0 this season against Musgrave.

“They’re both seniors and phenomenal kids,” Steffensen said. “They’re friends when they get outside the wrestling circle.”

At 182 pounds, Kenai’s Byron Dunham was able to score a major decision by 8-0 over Soldotna’s Brenner Furlong.

“They’re both good football players,” Steffensen said. “There was no turf over here, just a wrestling mat, but it was still good fun.”

Gardner said Furlong, now a junior, started wrestling his freshman year and keeps improving.

“He’s one of the hardest working kids I’ve had, and he’s a good football player, but he’s a young wrestler as far as time on the mat,” Gardner said. “Wrestling doesn’t come easy to him, and I appreciate all his work.”

At 145 pounds, Kenai’s Jacob Anderson notched a 10-1 major decision over Soldotna’s Braden Tennis. Anderson also pinned Soldotna’s Bryan Sledge in an exhibition.

“Jacob Anderson is a good kid,” Gardner said. “He knows more wrestling than our boys, but our boys fought well against him.”

Travis Howell and Gideon Hutchison had pins for the Stars, while Keaton Logston had a pin for the Kards.

Both coaches said this is the time of the season when injuries and illness become an issue, so they appreciate the mental strength the wrestlers have to stick with the sport.

In other dual meet action Thursday, Homer topped Barrow 60-9, with Wayne Newman, Seth Inama, Cole Bernier, Jaime Rios, Kyle Wells and Jadin Mann picking up pins.

All of those teams will be at the Peninsula Duals today and Saturday at Nikiski High School.

The meet kicks off with dual meets at 2:30, 4, 5:30 and 7 p.m. today. Saturday, the duals run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Soldotna 48, Kenai Central 18

132 — Travis Howell, Sol, p. Brandon Kroto, 1:05; 138 — Keaton Logston, Ken, p. Amanda Wylie, 5:51; 145 — Jacob Anderson, Ken, m.d. Braeden Tennis, 10-1; 152 — Bechler Metcalf, Sol, won by forfeit; 160 — Keyshawn McEnerney, Ken, m.d. Talon Musgrave, 15-5; 170 — Abraham VanHout, Sol, won by forfeit; 182 — Byron Dunham, Ken, m.d. Brenner Furlong, Sol, 8-0; 195 — Quincy Miller, Sol, won by forfeit; 220 — Double forfeit; 285 — Austin Reeves, Sol, won by forfeit; 98 — Double forfeit; 106 — Logan Craig, Sol, won by forfeit; 113 — Gideon Hutchison, Sol, p. Seth Segura, 1:20; 120 — Double forfeit; 126 — Brayde Wolfe, Sol, won by forfeit.

Exhibition — 132 — Joe VanHout, Sol, dec. Brandon Kroto, 11-4; 138 — Vydell Baker, Sol, p. Hanna Wilson, 2:27; 145 — Jacob Anderson, Ken, p. Bryan Sledge, 1:50.

Homer 60, Barrow 9

98 — Double forfeit; 106 — Wayne Newman, Hom, p. Glen Balanza, 2:27; 113 — Seth Inama, Hom, p. Anthony Librado, 1:58; 120 — Ian Stovall, Hom, dec. Sammy Keovilayhong, 15-8; 126 — Luciano Fasulo, Hom, t.f. Calvin Miller, 18-3; 132 — JohnRick Nobleza, Bar, dec. Mose hayes, 9-8; 138 — Jared Brant, Hom, m.d. Bradley Brower, 14-3; 145 — Cole Bernier, Hom, p. Jeffrey Del Rosario, 0:39; 152 – Chris Cudaback, Hom, dec. Kegan Stockton, 11-9; 160 — Timmy Woo, Hom, dec. Isiah Passi, 5-1; 170 — Seth Classen, Hom, won by forfeit; 182 — Jaime Rios, Hom, p. Matthew Brower, 1:20; 195 — Kyle Wells, hom, p. Sione Tu’ifua, 4:58; 220 — Benjamin Heather, Bar, p. Heather Harrington, 1:04; 285 — Jadin Mann, Hom, p. Vakameilalo, 1:10.