Courtesy photo The Alpena boy’s wrestling team pose for a photo after winning the Alpena Invitational Team Tournament.

ALPENA — The Alpena Boy;s Wrestling team finished in first place in the Alpena Invitational Team Tournament. The Wildcats started out by dominating their pool of four teams with wins over Rogers City, Pinconning, and Ogemaw Heights.

The Wildcats downed Rogers City 54-16, Pinconning 59-24, and Ogemaw 52-13.

The semifinal matchup was against Alcona High School, which finished in fourth place but Alpena’s depth proved too much and the Wildcats came away with the dual meet victory by the tally of 6-18

The finals matchup put Alpena against Oscoda and with a few key injuries on the day, the Wildcats needed to overcome previous losses at several weight classes to secure the victory. Alpena proved up to the challenge with Jonathon Parris (132) and Matthew Kowalski (138) both avenging losses from earlier in the season with pins to start the dual out. Later in the matchup John Dargis (285) who missed the first matchup with Oscoda picked up another pin. Ethan Kowalski (113) sealed the victory with his 22nd consecutive pin on the season. The final score was Alpena 48 and Oscoda 36.

Seven Wildcat wrestlers finished with a perfect 5-0 record on the day:

Ethan Kowalski (113/120), Matthew Kowalski (138), Cayden Smith (157), Owen Zitlau (175), Westin Mitchell (175), Hudson Derry (190), and John Dargis (285).

Alpena Wrestling will be back home today for a Big North Conference match up against Petoskey and Gaylord.

The Alpena Girl’s Wrestling team had a great showing at the Standish Sterling Girls Invitational Wrestling Tournament on Sunday. Haley Stenz (125) topped the podium with a first place finish after 3 wins by pin. Tryst Bukowiecki (135) also had 3 wins on the day, but lost a tough match up in the finals for a second place finish. Both Haley and Tryst’s performances so far this season have earned them a place in the state girls division rankings. Madelyn Farley (155) also picked up 2 wins by pin on the day, just missing the podium. The next tournament for the Alpena girls will be Friday at the Mio Thunderbolt Girls Invitational.