Twelve Bethel Regional High School Warrior wrestlers competed at the 2023 Top Dog Invite this past Friday and Saturday at Nikiski High School. Wrestler Alvino Vasquez (119 lbs.) scored a silver medal in the event and his teammate Ellis Johnson (160 lbs.) won a bronze medal.
Placing fourth in the 215 lbs. division is their teammate Jacob Carmichael.
Also wrestling for the Warriors were Aiden Crow (103), Zachery Chase (125 lbs.), Aaron Mute (130 lbs.), Warren Nicholai (130 lbs.), Greg Turner (135 lbs.), Keegan Thompson (140 lbs.), Gunner Fitka (152 lbs.), Madden Cockroft (152 lbs.), and Landon Burke (189 lbs.).
Alvino Vasquez won by fall over Cameron Toston of Wasilla High School in the first round. Second round he defeated Noah Playle of Nikiski High School. In the quarterfinals Vasquez won by tech fall over Louie Flint of Eagle River High School. He won by forfeit over Zackary Kemp of Soldotna via forfeit. In the match for first place, Aidan Schilling of Seward High School defeated Vasquez.
Ellis Johnson won by major decision over Jason Pickering of Wasilla High School in his first round match. He proceeded to defeat Torin Erickson of Colony High School in the second round. In the quarterfinals, Dalton Buffas of Nome High School won by fall over Johnson. Johnson won his next 4 matches defeating Jacob Hamberger of Cordova, Erik Henderson of Eagle River, Liam Peck of Soldotna, and Liam Hase of West Anchorage to win 3rd place.
Jacob Carmichael won by fall over Zayden Robello-liaga of Kodiak in the second round, his first round was a bye. He defeated Breaker Schmit of Nikiski in the quarterfinals. Sioeli Tuifua of Barrow High School won by fall over Carmichael in the semis. Carmichael won his next match over Brandon Blake of Kenai. For the 3rd place match Truit McCaughey of Nikiski won by fall.
“Currently Jacob Carmichael is 13-5 on the season and Ellis Johnson is 14-5,” said BRHS Head Coach Darren Lieb. “Up next is the Mountain City Christian Academy (formerly ACS) tournament on Friday and Saturday. Most, if not all, of the top Division II competition from around the state will be there.”
