With a plethora of dual meets already served up over the course of the season, head wrestling coaches at both Chugiak and Eagle River high schools decided to trim the fat before Thanksgiving Break. They had their athletes compete in only the second day of action during the Glenn Vandergaw tournament at Dimond.

Chugiak High School sophomore Ben Sullivan (135) pins Kenai's Adam Agosti in the semifinals.

Organizers slated a team dual tournament on Friday, with the traditional 16-man draw and larger, invitational meet Saturday. Twenty-five teams took, part including the junior varsity squads from several of the larger schools.

Colony won the Saturday invite with 205.5 points, followed by Service at second with 162 points and East, third, with 156. Chugiak placed seventh (97.5 points) and Eagle River, 17th, with 27.

Mustang coach Deric Glenn said the choice to compete only the second day was a no-brainer, seeing that Chugiak had gone up against nearly every other team previously.

Plus the team is fraying at its edges.

"It's been a long season. We're a little beat up right now," said Glenn Saturday.

One athlete, sophomore Garrett Morrison, had to default in his consolation match in the back-bracket of the 189-pound weight division, with a shoulder injury.

"Let's just say that we're looking forward to the two weeks off," Glenn said.

The immediate schedule is not without competition, as Chugiak faced Eagle River in the Mustang Senior Night match Wednesday.

The Mustangs have only three seniors - Grant Sullivan, at 145 pounds, Mikah Graff (215) and 171-pounder Zach Peterson.

Sullivan is unbeaten statewide at 145 pounds, as is younger brother, Ben, a sophomore, at 135.

Ben Sullivan went 3-0 on Saturday, capped with a 16-8 major decision over Colony's Sam Loggins in the finals.

Grant Sullivan defeated South's Luke Shelley, 2-0, in the 145 finale.

"Grant was in complete control the whole way," said Glenn.

Eagle River head coach Lance Bodeen said his team's best performance was turned in by sophomore Dominic Taus, who placed fourth at 125 pounds.

"He had a great morning," said Bodeen of Taus, who won by pin and a 12-3 major decision before losing 11-1 and 12-0 in the last two matches.

Bodeen said he is hoping for at least five athletes to qualify for state following the regional championship meet at Chugiak Dec. 4-5.

"There are some weight classes out there like 112, 119 and 160 (pounds) where all you have to do is show up with an pulse and you're in (qualified for state)," he said.

Chugiak coach Glenn didn't make any predictions as to the number of Mustang athletes he anticipates will make it to state.

Chugiak has four athletes ranked among the top six statewide in their weight classes, with the Sullivan brothers both in first place. Nathan Such is ranked fourth at 160, and Garrett Morrison, fourth at 189.

Bodeen said he is perplexed by the low numbers of athletes participating in wrestling this year.

"I think the team aspects of a lot of the other sport hold a lot of appeal," said the first-year head coach, noting that athletes are left exposed in solitary battle in the mat.

"Also I think kids are choosing alternative activities, like video gaming, more these days," he said.

"Wrestling is a very tough sport. You have to be dedicated to do well," Bodeen said.

You can reach the reporter at editor@alaskastar.com.