West Valley High School - Aurora Yearbook (Fairbanks, AK)

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JV.: Mentally prepared for a meet with North Pole, the Wolfpack lines up for introductions. Out of uniform, Wolfpack wrestlers await the bus for the journey to Anchorage. Q. Despite his opponent's desperate attempts, Russ Talvi puts the finishing touches on the match. vi 4'-v-xv f:v'.M.,.,' f, ',' 11,5 'v Nw. .N ,..-W-'fil' 1 F,- Q'-airs. am . R1 Z Q , A, -11 Psyching up for his match, heavyweight Paul Brown gets a dose of advice from Coaches Scott and Adame. xv., -can Jan-0-

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JV Wrestlers Added Versatility 81 Variety With only twelve weight classes, wrestling is a sport with a very limited number of varsity positions. Because of the multitude of people who turn out for wrestling each year, the J.V. squad is essential in allowing for a wider spectrum of participation. It also provides a base for the newer and younger wrestlers who need the mat experience but are not yet ready for the jump to varsity competition. In a way, J.V. grapplers have a rougher season than the Varsity members of the team. They go through the same rigorous training, wrestle just as hard during meets, and become just as exhausted as the Varsity by the end of practice, yet they do not receive the glory of being a Varsity wrestler at West. They hang in there though, and this attitude contributes to he championship quality of West Valley BACK ROW: Glenn Moehlin, Kraig Smyth, Fred Schikora, Shane Holmberg, Joe Sackinger and Jesse Perkins. FRONT ROW: Billy Merritt, Brian Blockcolsky, Jeff Moehlin, Wayne Sharp, and Jim N Kirkvold. I' g .V g gggg I , J.V. WRESTLING .V Exhausted but triumphant, Shane Holmberg . s , . .M if 5 walks off with another victory. . i'i ii ',,i . 1 X, S ' 5 Opponents 2 .ii. 7 ,jg North Pole 23 I M '17 Lathrop, ,. , 6 e ' North Polejg -,g,V, ,..i 5 9 Q 53 F ,'., M North Pole ' 9 A lW-4l CL-Ol wrestling. -QQ- f N NU ,,+5.,., S' 4 , . 1-'wtf--, ' ' ,1 V, . , , , 5 ,, ,, , ig-: sew., . J f H+ M -'Z at ti. '-mari- ..f ff V-,gf.1ggmsfggig,sj,s,,,,,5g s 'y ,,, -V rw Wi 1. ,, ,,,,,u.f, ,,..,, ,,,,,,,,k.,, Ri H -7 4122251 P ,.wwz2Y1g 'W i 1 .',, 111, t -- 3 Riding his adversary, Fred Schikora helps West down the Patriots. Taking charge, Jeff Moehlin grinds his North Pole opponent into the mat.

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Straining every muscle, Ray Wheat puts forth the effort to pin down a victory. Winning a state championship in any sport is a difficult task. Winning two years in a row is even harder. Coming back a third year as a strong contender and winning a third Regional title is the mark of a consistent champion. These are only a few of the accomplishments under the belt of the Wolfpack grapplers led by Coach Charlie Scott. Wrestling their way through a tortuous season, West's matmen proved that they intended to remain the reigning powerhouse in Region Vl. Throughout the year's matches, it appeared as if the Patriots of North Pole had finally come of age and would topple the Wolfpack juggernaut from their Region throne. The Patriots dominated the mats more than once in meets with West Valley, and seemed to be confident of their CONTINUING WEST'S WRESTLING TRADITION, THE WOLFPACK PINNED DOWN A THIRD REGION TITLE newfound strength. When the all-important meet came around, however, West rose to the occasion and dealt a devastating blow to North Pole pride: an upset victory in the Regional competition. ln an atmosphere of intense competition, the Wolfpack and the Patriots battled down to the wire. When the smoke cleared, West had earned itself a third straight Regional title, and came away with individual champions in Craig Woods at 98 lbs, Russ Talvi at 132 lbs: Marty Rawlins at 155 lbs, and Steve Kauffman at 167. These four matmen journeyed to Sitka, carrying on their shoulders the FRONT ROW: Kevin Kaltenbach, Craig Woods, David Degan, Randy Talvi, Ray Wheat, Russ Talvi. BACK ROW: Paul Brown, Kib Connon, Marty Rawlins, Steve Kauffman, Dan Bishop, Mike Caciari, Manager Dawn Borjesson. ultimate outcome of the entire season. Paced by Kauffman's first place title, the Wolfpack secured a fourth place team finish. Woods took second place, Rawlins a third and Talvi was fourth. Says Coach Scott: We had a good season, l'm satisfied. We didn't have much to start with but we won Regionals and took fourth in state. You can't ask for much more. This was our low yearg next year we should do a lot better. Looking at the general youth of the squad and the arrival of Coach Adame from Service High in Anchorage, offers a positive outlook for next season. V. WRESTLING w.v.H.s. A opponents 34 North Polerfgsi 28 .LQ 54 Lathrop I 3 53 Eielson 5 52 ' Lathrop 5 1' 16 North Pole It W 31 y 53 Eielson f' I 3 , 12 North Pole ' 33 QE,-lf, 3554 Eielson If U 6 'iii A I 1st Region VI I 1 4th STATE W R . lW'6l WZ? 1'