By KLAS STOLPE
Sentinel Staff Writer
Mt. Edgecumbe junior Haley Osborne was a favorite to repeat as the 285-pound champion at Saturday’s ASAA State Wrestling Championships in Anchorage and for three matches it appeared that prognostication was correct.
Osborne (Nome) pinned his first three opponents in the first period of each match and waited in the finals for Homer Mariners senior Jaydin Mann, who had also pinned his first three opponents.
The two heavyweights had never wrestled each other before.
“We were definitely aware of each other,” Osborne said. “He is a big guy.”
Mann stood three inches taller and was 20 pounds heavier than Osborne.
The match started with Osborne earning his lone point through an escape in the first period.
Mann earned points in the second period for a 3-1 advantage. Osborne was forced to take a chance in the final period and the two grapplers went out of bounds. Osborne had to restart from the bottom and could not get away, losing 5-1.
“It is a bummer and stands out in the learning curve definitely,” Osborne said. “But I guess you learn from all mistakes. I had a long talk with my dad saying how mistakes are your best friend in life, they teach you more than when you succeed. You don’t learn anything when you win all the time. Sometimes you have to lose. This is motivation for next year.”
Homer senior Jaydin Mann and Mt. Edgecumbe junior Haley Osborne face off in the DII ASAA 285-pound State final on Saturday. (Sentinel Photo by Klas Stolpe)
Osborne finished the season with a 30-1 record, all 30 wins were by pin. Mann finished the season 22-1.
“He was my toughest opponent all season,” Mann said. “My toughest my whole career.”
Mt. Edgecumbe head coach Mike Kimber said Osborne was at a disadvantage through no fault of his own.
“He was a victim of a region that didn’t have anyone to challenge him,” Kimber said. “And we were unable to get him North to see better competition often enough. He certainly didn’t wrestle his best match. He didn’t handle the head and arm that was thrown very well. But he stayed positive, and that is who Haley is. You can’t ask for a better wrestler or teammate. He is already hunger for the win next year.”
Mt. Edgecumbe senior Leon Evon placed third at 145-pounds, earning four wins and one loss which came in the semifinals to the eventual state runner-up, Nome’s Ben Cross. Evon finished the season with a 28-8 record. Kimber said he finished off with a strong performance after losing a close semifinal.
Mt. Edgecumbe placed ninth in the team standings and had a top five possibility but lost three key matches in the last few seconds in the consolation semifinals.
At 130-pounds, jr. Lloydy Ayojiak (Togiak) went 2-2 at state, including a tech fall and a fall, to finish his season with a 27-8 record; 112-pound so. Dayton Hoblet (False Pass) went 2-2 (16-12); and 103-pound fr. Dean Paniptchuk (Shaktoolik) went 2-2 (7-7), including a pin and a major decision. Kimber said they gained invaluable experience for next year.
Braves wrestlers in the consolation rounds included 152-pound sr. Josh DeAsis (Juneau), who went 1-2 (17-9 season record); 135-pound sr. Ethan Sergie (Nunapitchuk) went 1-2 (5-11); 135-pound so. Zane Mahoney (Sitka) went 1-2 (6-7); 130-pound so. Noah Andrew (Bethel) went 1-2 (4-5); 119-pound jr. Ajey Moses (Chevak) went 1-2 (9-15);112-pound so. Robert Deason (Anchorage) went 1-2 (3-6); 145-pound sr. Nelson Jackson (Kwethluk) went 0-2 (6-6); and 140-pound so. Leroy Bradley (Elim) went 0-2 (13-13).
“The boys did well,” Kimber said. “But for the most part, I think that they were disappointed with the final outcome. We won’t dwell on that. What we really need to focus on is improving ourselves and understanding what we can do to keep that from happening again. I think it has made them a little hungry for next year.”
