A Bethel high school junior became an All-American wrestler this past weekend. Landon Smith took 6th place in the 113 lb. weight class at the USA Wrestling National Recruiting Showcase high school tournament in Coralville, Iowa. The top eight from each weight class earned the All-American distinction in the folkstyle tournament.
Smith’s coach, Darren Lieb, said that he had encouraged Smith to compete to expose him to college recruiters during his junior year.
Smith had automatically qualified for the tournament with his past state championship wins. He claimed the Alaska state championship title for his weight class both his freshman and sophomore years.
Smith represented the Bethel Freestyle Wrestling Club at the event, not his high school. Bethel Regional High School has not resumed sports amid the pandemic.