Petersburg Pilot -

The Petersburg Viking wrestling squad is taking ten of its athletes to the state tournament in Anchorage this weekend after a series of upsets and wins last weekend at the Regional Tournament in Sitka.

Buddy Stelmach, who was seated 5th in the 98-weight class took first in the tournament after upsetting last year's regional champ.

"That was an action packed match," said assistant coach Ed May. "The audience was going crazy."

Stelmach also beat the number two-seeded wrestler from Craig.

DJ Toyomura remains undefeated in the region in the 106-weight class after pinning a Wrangell wrestler in the finals.

Freshman Nathaniel Leonard was seated 5th in the 126-weight class and upset the number three seed from Wrangell. Leonard placed third in the tournament and will head to state this weekend.

Junior John Brooks 138 placed second in the 138-weight class.

Seniors Logan Turcott placed third and Bret Martinsen placed 4th in their weight classes.

Junior Billy Ware placed second in his 152-weight class.

Freshman Isaiah May took second after upsetting a senior in the 160-weight class.

Senior Kaleb Simbahon pinned a Craig wrestler and placed 1st in the 95-weight class.

Senior and heavyweight Matt Gudgel wasn't seeded but went on to win in double overtime placing him in the third and fourth seed.

"The whole stadium was standing on their feet it was incredible," May said. "Those guys were just battling."

The Vikings took second as a team in the Regional Tournament.

May said the Vikings are taking twice the number of wrestlers to state that they took last year.