Wasatch Whips Viewmont

Despite wrestling “tired” Wasps turn it on when it counts

The Wasatch High School wrestling team hosted its’ first duel of the season in The Nest last night and defeated Viewmont by a team score of 47-20.  The Wasps, still a little weary from a heavy preseason schedule, found themselves in a dog fight early on, but then turned on the jets winning the final seven matches to secure the victory in front of an energetic home crowd.

From the first round win, featuring sophmore Spencer Heywood wrestling at 160 lbs. to the final match of the night, a victory by Logan Huntington in the 152 lb class, the grapplers in black showed dominance.

“We’re a little tired”, said a pleased Head Coach Wade Discher.  “These guys have come a long way, but… we’re ready for a little break.  They’ve earned it.”  The coach, who has groomed his squad perfectly so far this season, approaches each match with a bit of caution.  “We’ve had some injuries.  A couple of guys have the cold and aren’t feeling up to par, but, overall… I’m pleased, “ he said.  “It’s a tough bunch” Discher added with a smile.

Whether or not Discher was downplaying his team’s performance, there were several moments during the duel that looked like season-makers.  After the first round decision by Heywood, who methodically outscored his opponent in dominating fashion, the Wasps lost a decision in the 170 lb class featuring sophmore Jake McNaughton.  Then Cabit Nye took the mat at 182 lbs and stole a victory with a workmanlike pin in the third period.  Nye, who has wrestled since he was six, said, “I probably just try to take what my opponent gives me.”  He showed tremendous patience in his match, baiting his counterpart before nailing him to the mat and holding him down for nearly a minute before getting the slap for the fall.

Then came freshman Ben Bos who quickly ignited the crowd with his aggressive prowess.  As much as the preceding matches were plodding, this one was an attack.

Bos slammed his opponent to the mat early on and the Viking was never to recover.

Bos is a promising young wrestler who Coach Discher says to keep an eye on.

After the two great matches by the big fellas, the Wasps unfortunately lost three in a row.  Ben McPherson filling in at 220 pounds and Kody Metcalf wrestling in the heavy weight division, admirably battled but lost their matches. 

Freshman Braiden Parker, the Wasp’s 106 lb regular struggled with his opponent and lost his match while scoring no points.  It was uncharacteristic of the lightweight, but part of the fatigue factor that Discher spoke of.  Gage Bradley, another freshman, wrestling at 113 lbs needed a full three periods to defeat his opponent in a 10-7 decision.

With the team down at this point 19-20, Caden Clyde won his match in an inspiring effort.  The 120 lb junior and state qualifier from a year ago found himself down in points with less than a minute to go in the third period.  He desperately rolled his counterpart over and pinned him before time expired sending the Wasatch bench into a frenzy. 

Then not to be outdone in the drama department, Senior Sterling Ballif competing in the 126 lb class, basically did the same thing.  Losing 2-3 with only seconds remaining in his match, he reached down deep and flipped his opponent over on his shoulder and fought for the pin, but time ran out.  He won his match on the decision. “I just wanted to get the five points,” Ballif said afterward.  “I knew I was down and all I wanted was to get the five.”

Those consecutive wins put the Wasps up for good as a team with a 25-20 score.  Robby Miner, wrestling at 132 lbs, provided Wasatch with their next win, a 12-4 decision.  Miner, who has an outstanding record so far this season, knows he didn’t have his killer move this night, but says, “I just want to stay quick and strong.  I try to take one match at a time,” he added smiling with his trademark scraped up nose.  “It’s great for us to win.”

Garrett Sweat, who pinned his opponent so quickly, there is little to write about except for the fact that the senior is having a great campaign so far.  His pin in under a minute put the Wasps out of reach as a team and up 32-20.

Albert Jepperson wrestled next and used an amazing move to pin his opponent after falling behind briefly in the second period.  The 145-pound junior seemed to only be sizing up his opponent when the door opened for his move.  He quickly flipped his counterpart over, legs flailing in the air, and nailed him to the mat.

Huntington, a junior, finished the night off in the 152-pound class with a 6-2 decision over his Viewmont counterpart.  Huntington was dominant, but couldn’t get the fall.  After rolling his opponent out of bounds during the second period, Huntington looked to the bench and mouthed, “I got him.”  He would continue to go for the quick score, but it wasn’t to be and he proudly took the decision.

After regulation matches were completed, Wasatch featured an exhibition with Juan Espinoza taking the mat at 182 lbs.  The aggressive Espinoza used his unique style to fire up the crowd and showed flashes of why he’s an exiting wrestler to watch.  He eventually succumbed to his opponent, but it was a fantastic finish to a great night for the Wasatch grapplers who have definitely earned a break.