It didn’t take long for the AHS wrestling team to get back into the full swing of their season after a long Christmas break. They began with a dual against Chadron Thursday, January 3. The Bulldogs defeated Chadron.

After having to sit out the first half of the season, senior Tyson Dowler was among the Alliance grapplers to be back on the mat facing Chadron. Tyson said it felt “Amazing” to be healthy again. Dowler had been sidelined because of a separated rip though he is still commonly thought of as being a serious contender for winning a state medal. In discussing Tyson’s run at a state championship Coach Travis Peak said, “Tyson could do as well as he wants. It’s all up to him. State champ or State chump. Seriously, it’s all up how bad he wants it.” Tyson defeated his Chadron opponent in three periods.

Senior Tyler Smith, juniors Devin Ushio and Donald Rednest, sophomores Walker Johnson, DJ Weare, Jacob Baldwin, and freshman Kyson Schnell also each defeated their Chadron opponents as well.

On Saturday, January 5, the wrestling boys traveled to Scottsbluff to compete in a dual tournament. The Bulldogs once again dominated at the tournament and came home with a fist place ranking. After defeating 6 teams. According to the Alliance Times Herald, they crushed Merino, Colorado, 71-12, overturned Gering 53-24, beat Jefferson, Colorado, 51-24, defeated Sidney 41-36, and overcame Scottsbluff 40-36.

One stand out wrestler, junior Devin Ushio went 6-0 for day to remain undefeated. In the final match of the championship round, sophomore Cameron Nagaki pinned his man to secure the Bulldogs first place. While Coach Peak didn’t comment on the individual performance of his wrestlers, he did say, “ We were champions. We were all winners.”

The wrestling boys next travel to Schuyler on Saturday, January 12.