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Wasatch takes 3^rd at Bear River Invitational

The Wasatch High School wrestling squad’s goal of becoming better individual wrestlers and ultimately a stronger unit as a team continued on it’s course last weekend in Garland at the Bear River Invitational.  With 15 teams competing from 13 schools, the Wasp grapplers finished 3^rd overall and left the tournament with their heads held high as they embark on Region competition and their quest for a 3A state championship.

With Assistant Coach Mark South (background left) and Head Coach Wade Discher (background right) looking on, 126 pound senior Robby Miner dominates one of his opponents en route to an 8-0 tournament record.

11 Wasatch wrestlers emerged from the meet with winning records, highlighted by two undefeated performances.  Robby Miner (126 lbs) and Jake McNaughton (170 lbs) both finished the invitational with 8-0 records.  Miner was awarded the tournament’s Outstanding Wrestler In Lower Weight Class for his dominating performance.  He came in as the #3 seed in his class and defeated the #1 to earn his top placement.  McNaughton earned a team high 22 team points (tied with Garrett Sweat) with four solid decisions against top opponents on his way to an unblemished meet record.

“We’re wrestling tough”, said head coach Wade Discher proudly.  “We’re coming into these things basically as number three or four seeds and coming out better a lot of times.  The guys are understanding that getting on top early and fighting to the finish is what’s getting them their success”, he added.  “I’m real proud of this team’s fight.”

The referee raises Wasatch's Jake McNaughton's arm in triumph as the sophmore 170 pounder defeats all of his opponents in the Bear River Invitational.

In addition to Miner and McNaughton not losing a match, the Wasps were strong in four other weight classes, which contributed heavily to their outstanding team finish.  Sterling Ballif, 3^rd place, (120 lbs), Logan Huntington, 3^rd place, (145 lbs), Bryce Provost, 3^rd place, (160 lbs) and Parker Hortin, 3^rd place, (182 lbs) all finished with sparkling individual 8-2 records.  Caden Clyde, 5^th place, (120 lbs), Albert Jepperson, 5^th place, (138 lbs), Spencer Heywood, 4^th place, (152 lbs) and Ben Boss, 4^th place, (195 lbs) finished the meet with 6-4 overall records.  Recently named All-Star, Garret Sweat (132 lbs), who tied teammate Jake McNaughton with 22 team points, had an outstanding tournament and placed 2^nd in his class with a 6-2 record.  Gage Bradley (113 lbs), Matthew Provost (138 lbs) and Nick Piscitelli (145 lbs) also wrestled for Wasatch but failed to qualify.

Discher and his group plan on continuing to work hard in the coming weeks with Region Duals with Union, Uintah, and a big night with Park City and Juan Diego visiting Wasatch coming in the month of January.