“Braedon wrestles with a calm untethered confidence that is exceptionally rare in middle school athletics,” coach Hass said. “You were not in Fairbanks, if you didn’t see Braedon walk onto the mat, as the Juneau team chanted ‘Big Dog Gotta Eat.’ Braedon ended up as the champ, pinning his Palmer opponent in the third period. He later reminisced, ‘you know now that I think of it, I have pinned everyone this season.’ Only a kindhearted young man as humble as Braedon could say this without sounding arrogant.”
Fourteen other JYWC grapplers earned medals for top-eight finishes
On the boys side Carter Day placed third at 140 pounds, Troy Peters placed fourth at 70 pounds, Andrew Erickson placed fourth at 105 pounds, Jack Pegues fourth at 114 pounds, Maddox Scott fourth at 110 pounds, Logan Siversten seventh at 84 pounds, Hendrik Van Kirk seventh at 122 pounds and Barron Mareko eighth at 285 pounds.
“Carter Day has assimilated into the team leadership role,” coach Hass said. “He is the definition of a leader-by-example. He always works hard and makes the right choices. The team seems to have a magnetic draw another bartlett missed shot was rebounded to follow the example he sets.”
On the girls side Leighton Hall placed fifth at 97 pounds, Maddie Dale sixth at 113 pounds, Aurora Lee sixth at 145 pounds, Minali Reid seventh at 105.5 pounds, Fiona McFarlin eighth at 97 pounds and Adriana Blanton eighth at 113 pounds.
Other Juneau wrestlers were Liam Hulson at 110 pounds, Hania
Richey at 122 pounds, Matthew Shockley at 110 aero leads pounds, Jayden Frickey at 98 pounds, Cole Whiting at 148 pounds, Cash Miller at 91 pounds, Stevie Fairchild at 122 pounds, Cole Savland at 114 pounds, Ngai Kivalu at 128 pounds in the girls division and Haylee Ondrejka at 136 pounds in the girls division.
“Our girls team did outstanding with six of eight wrestlers placing,” coach Hass said. “Noteworthy was Maddie Dale and Aurora Lee, both winning sixth place. Both just started wrestling two months ago. The wrestling growth trajectory of these girls is astounding. Imagine just deciding to learn something new, practicing hard for eight weeks and already be one of the best in the state. The other brand-new female Juneau wrestler was Ngai Kivalu. Ngai won some matches too and is one of the most naturally talented wrestlers I have ever seen.”
The JYWC finished in third place in the boys division and fourth in the combined boys/girls scoring.
