VHS Wrestling ASAA State Championships
Courtesy of VHS Coaches – Congratulations to 2021 State placers William Benes (6th place), Jana Allen (2nd place), and your new VHS State Champions Wyatt Williams and Alyvia Askren!!!
Junior William Benes had the best tournament of his high school career, threatening eventual state champion Ryan Randall of ACS into overtime in his first match ever at the state championships. William then battled his way back to 6th place.
Congratulations William on an incredible season!
Senior Jana Allen was able to punch her ticket to the state finals via a 3rd period fall over Lathrop’s Roane Cook and a 3-2 decision over West Valley’s Alice Bent, but falling to South’s Javleen Sekona in the finals. Jana ends her high school career as a 3 time state placer (4th 2018, 3rd 2019, 2nd 2021) and joins her brothers Justin (1st 2011, 2012) and Brian (2nd 2014) as a state finalist.Congratulations Jana on an outstanding career and best of luck in your future endeavors!
Junior Wyatt Williams and 2021 state champion was able to punch his ticket to the finals via a 5-3 decision over Sitka’s Evander Elixman and a dominant 9-0 major decision over Redington’s Payton Metcalf. In the finals Wyatt faced Bethel’s Paul Dyment, winning a back and forth battle in dramatic fashion 6-5. Congratulations Wyatt!
Junior Alyvia Askren and 2021 state champion dominated her way to state finals pinning Lathrop’s Zoe Dalrymple and Service’s Brandee Lockett. Alyvia would then face North Pole’s Megan Parrish in the finals, this would be their third meeting this year with each wrestler splitting wins, however, the grudge match proved to be the most dramatic yet. In a constant back and forth battle, with 12 seconds left in the match Alyvia was able to score a reversal for the win with 2 seconds remaining. Congratulations Alyvia!
Also competing at the state tournament was freshman Mckennan Mayer. Mckennan
ended up 1-2 in the tournament with a win over Caden Atchack of Stebbins. Congrats Mckennan on a great first season.
Next season the Bucs will return four state qualifiers, three placers, and two state champions. I would like to say a special thank you to assistant coach Austin Rake for wanting to take over the VHS wrestling program with me, and for your time and effort to help make us successful. Thank you volunteer coaches Cody Greene, Taylor Ellerman, Tyler Thompson, and Lester Allen; your contributions and knowledge have helped our athletes reach their full potential. Thank you to Hannah Bell, Jessica Vincent, and Shelby Deaton for volunteering as chaperones. Last, I would like to thank the community of Valdez and all of the parents for your continuing support, and thank you to all our administrators for allowing us to compete this season. Thanks again to all. Go Bucs!
Track and Field Region VI Meet 2021
Buccaneer Boy’s Track and Field Region Champs!
Courtesy of VHS Coaches – The Buccaneer Track and Field team traveled to Fairbanks to compete in the Region VI Championship at West Valley High School. Despite the cold weather, wind, and rain, the Bucs had a fantastic weekend with the boy’s team taking first place overall with a total of 116 team points, beating Hutchison (95pts), Ben Eielson (67 pts.) Monroe (41 pts.) and Delta (23 pts). The girl’s team took third place overall with a total of 68
team points.
Jeffery Prevost, Photo courtesy of Joe Prax
Three school records were broken this weekend. Katarina Taylor set a new school record in Discus with a powerful throw of 85’ 6”, breaking the record of 82’ 10” previously set by Emily Fickes in 2013. Gaspar Deleon broke the school record in Discus set last weekend by Dennis Mott with an impressive throw of 112’ 6”. The record stood (again) for less than 15 minutes as Dennis Mott followed up with a mighty throw of 114’ 9” breaking that record yet again. Both boys will be competing at State this next weekend, so the fierce contention for the school record in Discus continues…
Katarina Taylor – discus, Photo courtesy of Joe Prax
Valdez saw a lot of action on the medal stand this weekend–
First place honors on the Buccaneer team went to:
● Jason Smilie in the 800m- 2:25.32 (season P.R.)
● Piers Shirk in the 1600m- 5:03.99 (season P.R.)
● Jeffrey Prevost in the 300m Hurdles- 43.59 (P.R.)
● Dennis Mott in Shot Put- 38’ 6.75”
● Dennis Mott in Discus- 114’ 9” (New School Record and P.R.)
● Josh Baczuk in Long Jump- 19’ 1”
● 4X100 relay: Tate Chadwick, A.J. Mann, Jeffrey Prevost, and Josh Baczuk– 48.71
● 4X200 relay: Tate Chadwick, A.J. Mann, Josh Baczuk, and Piers Shirk– 1:41.27
● Katarina Taylor in Discus with an 85’ 6” throw (New School Record P.R.)
● Katarina Taylor in Shot Put with a 25’ 7.75” throw (P.R.)
● Anika Palomar in Triple Jump with a 30’ 4” jump (P.R. and a mere 2 inches away from a school record)
● 4X100 relay: Carsyn Hinkle, Isabella Smelcer, Anika Palomar, Ambrosia Woodgate– 57.49
● 4X200 relay: Carsyn Hinkle, Madeline O’Neil, Anika Palomar, Ambrosia Woodgate– 2:04.12
Second place honors on the Buc’s team went to:
● Jeffrey Prevost in the 110m Hurdles- 16.75
● 4X400 relay: Nick Alfaro, A.J. Mann, Tate Chadwick, Piers Shirk– 4:04.71
● 4X800 relay: Jason Smilie, Allen Watson, Cole Wadsworth, Piers Shirk– 10:05.06
● Gaspar DeLeon in Discus- 112’ 06” (New School Record… for 15 minutes and P.R.)
● Jeffrey Prevost in High Jump- 5’ 4”
● Nick Alfaro in Triple Jump in Triple Jump- 37’ (P.R.)
● Marcedes Taylor in Shot Put with a 25’ 4.50” throw (P.R.)
● Carsyn Hinkle in Long Jump with a 13’ .75” jump (P.R.)
Other Impressive efforts from the Bucs include:
● Gaspar DeLeon– 3rd place in Shot Put with a 37’ 4.25” throw (P.R.)
● Ambrosia Woodgate– 3rd place in Triple Jump with a 28’ 3.25” jump (P.R.)
● Isabella Smelcer– 3rd place in the 300m Hurdles-57.63 (P.R.)
● Gabe Brewi– 4th place in Shot Put with a 34’ 8.5” throw (P.R.)
● Madeline O’Neil-4th place in the 300m Hurdles- 58.77 (P.R.)
● Lindsey Gudgell-4th place in Shot Put with a 24’ 3” throw (P.R.)
● Lindsey Gudgell– 4th place in Discus with a 68’ 6” throw (P.R.)
● Payton Gage – 4th place in Triple Jump with a 35’ 3.25” jump (P.R.)
● Josh Baczuk– 4th place in the 100m- 12.84
● Payton Gage– 4th place in the 200m- 26.79
● Dillon Fowler– 4th place in the 110m Hurdles-19.51 (P.R.)
● Tate Chadwick– 5th place in Triple Jump with a 35’ 1” jump (P.R.)
● Chase Randall– 5th place in Discus with a 93’ 10” throw (P.R.)
● Marianne Prax– 5th place in 300m Hurdles with a 1:05.00
● Ambrosia Woodgate– 5th place in the 100m-14.79
This week the Bucs will travel to Anchorage for the State Track and Field Meet at Dimond High School.
Jeffery Prevost, Photo courtesy of Joe Prax