Back In The Sting Of Things

*This is a re-post of this article with photographs.  Thanks to Kimberly King for supplying these excellent pics of the Wasp grapplers.

Wasatch wrestling gets back on track with a duel meet victory at Uintah and a second place showing at the High Country Classic.

BY KENNY BRISTOW

Last Thursday night, the Wasatch wrestling team headed to Uintah High School to compete in a region duel against the Utes.  The Wasps recorded victories in nine of the 13 weight classes en route to a 43-24 team win.  Five of their nine victories were by pin, with the other four coming on decisions.

Braiden Parker (106), Gage Bradley (113), and Sterling Balliff (120) pinned their opponents for individual wins, as did Logan Huntington (145) and Bryce Provost (160).  Albert Jepperson (138), Spencer Heywood (152) and freshman Ben Boss (195) won their matches on decision.  Robby Miner (126) defeated his opponent with a major decision.

Braiden Parker (106 lbs) making it look easy.

Gage Bradley (113 lbs) goes for a big take down.

Sterling Balliff (120 lbs) giving up nothing in this match.

Logan Huntington (145 lbs) giving it all he's got for the win.

Bryce Provost (160 lbs) applying the finishing touches.

On Saturday, the Wasps joined the field of 13 other high schools to compete in the annual High Country Classic at South Summit High School.  Although a tournament that counts only individual scores and placements, Wasatch compiled a total of 231.5 points to finish with the second highest total behind Syracuse who had 293.5.

Many Wasp grapplers had great finishes at the tournament showing they are wrestling well and getting ready for state.  Senior Robby Miner, continued to improve on his tremendous record this season beating all four of his men and taking first place in the 126 pound class.  Garrett Sweat, who lost his match by close decision two nights before at the Uintah Duel, came back with a vengeance going 4-0 and taking first place in the 132 pound division.

Robby Miner (126 lbs) shows his opponent what's up on his way to a 1st place medal.

Garrett Sweat (132 lbs) shows little mercy as he asks the ref where he can pick up his 1st place medal.

Four other Wasatch wrestlers advanced to their class’ first place bout, but came up just short and took second place finishes.  Senior Sterling Balliff finished his afternoon going 3-1 in the 120 pound class, before a couple of defeats in the consolation rounds evened him up at 3-3.  Balliff was still awarded the second place medal for his outstanding performance.  Logan Huntington, a junior, also had a 3-1 personal record in the tournament taking second place in the 145 pound class.  A pair of sophmores, Spencer Heywood and Jake McNaughton, wrestling at 152 and 170 pounds respectively, took second place medals going 3-1 each for the tournament.

Spencer Heywood (152 lbs) leaves little room to breath for his man.

Freshman Braiden Parker, at 106 pounds and 160-pound senior Bryce Provost had excellent tournaments and grabbed third place finishes in their weight divisions.  Sophmore Matthew Provost and senior Cabit Nye, competing in the 138 and 182 pound classes respectively placed fourth in their classes, while freshman Ben Boss took fifth place in the 195 pound weight division.

The Wasps have a busy week ahead wrapping up their regular season campaign with Park City and Juan Diego coming to Heber for a meet on Senior Night, Wednesday at 7 and 8:00 PM in The Nest.