Skagway’s Zane Coughran and Dane Ames went to the 2026 ASAA/First National Bank Alaska State Wrestling Championships as bright-eyed sophomores recently. They left with lofty expectations for next year.
Coughran and Ames both turned in solid outings during the three tournament at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage. The two were among more than 300 high school wrestlers to compete.
Coughran, who finished the season with a 12-18 record, turned in a stellar effort in the Division II 135-pound weight classification. He wrestled his way to the quarterfinal round of the consolation bracket.
After opening the tournament with a tough 18-3 loss to Mountain Christian’s Trestin Houck, Coughran drew a bye in the first round of consolation action, and moved into a showdown with Mason Wenger in the quarterfinals. Wenger garnered the win.
Houck, who entered the tournament as the No. 1 seed, used his win over Coughran to propel himself to a 4-0 mark and the 135-pound state title. He defeated Valdez’s Logan Beck in the title round and finished the year at 34-1.
Like Coughran, Ames turned in a solid performance at the state meet. He went 0-2.
Homer’s Zayne Adams, the No. 4 seed in the Division II 140-pound classification, spoiled Ames’ opener. The Homer standout wrestled his way to a 25-10 decision in their opener.
Ames also suffered a loss to Sitka’s Killan Hammond, falling 10-0 in the sub-quarterfinal round.
Ames finished the season with a 17-19 mark.
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