Petersburg wrestlers take five to state

The Petersburg Viking wrestlers traveled to Haines for the Region V meet last weekend and come home with five qualifying for State competition.

“The regional meet was great,” Head Coach Dan VanSwearengen said. “We took seven guys, we had six wrestle and we are taking five to State.”

The Vikings came home with three second place wins with three in the finals.

“We had some tough competition in the finals,” VanSwearengen said. “Our guys wrestled well and we were just pinning machines until two of our guys met each other on the mat.”

John Brooks and Bret Martinsen met in the same bracket in the 132 pound weight class and Brooks come out the victor putting Martinsen in third place for the class.

The five wrestlers that will travel to Nikiski next week for state are DJ Toyomara who placed second in the 98 pound weight class; Brooks took second and Martinsen took third in the 132 pound weight class; Kris Thorsteinson took second in the 126 pound weight class and Caleb Simbahon brought in fourth place in the 195 pound weight class.

“I've never been to state here so this is a new experience for me as a coach,” VanSwearengen said. “The guys are excited and they are well conditioned. Three of the five have been there before so they will have more confidence, two are new, but I believe they will do well. I think it will be interesting.”

The meet will begin in Nikiski at 9 a.m. Friday morning.