Even an earthquake couldn’t keep Bethel's wrestlers off the mats.
The team was in Anchorage weighing-in on Friday morning when the earthquake struck north of town. There were 300 wrestlers inside the gymnasium at Grace Christian School when the 7.0 magnitude quake shook the building and knocked the power out. Everyone was able to get outside without injuries.
Friday’s tournament was cancelled, and Saturday’s event was rescheduled to Sunday. When the 2018 Grace Grizzly Wrestling tournament took place it was considerably smaller than planned, but Bethel's wrestlers took home ribbons and memories that they will never forget.
In the 103-pound bracket, two Warriors competed in the final match. Landon Smith took first against Eddie Jimmy, who took home second place.
Daniel Chakuchin placed 3rd in the 130-pound bracket, and Austin Hunter did the same in the 152-pound bracket.
All the Bethel Warriors did what the rest of the state was doing in the face of a major earthquake: they did their jobs as best they could, showing the country what it means to be an Alaskan.