Bethel wrestlers shine at state at tourney

ALASKA NEWSPAPERS STAFF

May 29, 2008 at 12:03PM AKST

Despite facing competition that had more matches under its seasonal belt, the Bethel Freestyle Wrestling Club managed to nab 20 top-three finishes during the 2008 Alaska USA Wrestling State Championships in Wasilla earlier this month.

Coaches Darren Lieb and Courtney Geerdts and 25 club wrestlers made the trip for their season’s first weekend of tournament action. Lieb said most other teams and wrestlers had been competing since March.

Bethel grabbed five first-place finishes, including four in the freestyle tournament.

Lieb wrote this thank you to everyone whom supported the team’s effort:
“The Bethel Freestyle Wrestling Club would like to thank the members of the community who pledged money during our push-up-a-thon fundraiser. Also, a huge thank you to the VFW Ladies Auxiliary and the Bethel Native Corp. for their generous donations, and to the Alaska Commercial Co. for providing the money for water and sports drinks.

“Thank you for supporting our kids here in Bethel. Out of the 31 wrestlers in our club, 25 of them paid their own way to compete in the largest tournament to ever be held in our great state. We were part of history. More than 650 freestyle wrestlers, 240 Greco-Roman wrestlers and the first all-female tournament featuring 38 participants took part in the tournament. Wrestling in Alaska, and Bethel, is alive and doing great.”