Galena wrestlers hit the mat

During the 2008-9 season, seven Galena wrestlers went to the state tournament. Last year, Galena took first place at the regional meet at West Valley High School in Fairbanks in the 189-lb weight class.

This year, Galena wrestler John Kavairlook took third place in his weight class at the state wrestling tournament. Fellow wrestler Francis Katongan also went to the state tournament and did well there.

The Galena wrestlers work with coach Ben Blasco, who competed as a wrestler at Thiel College in Greenville, Penn. Mr. Blasco has been the dean of students at the Galena Interior Learning Academy residence hall for the past five years.

Student wrestlers take part in an exhibition in Galena called the Galena Intersquad Rumble. This year, the wrestlers traveled out of town to take part in the Nome Invitational, the Bush Brawl in Kotzebue, the regional tournament, and the state tournament.