Bronco grapplers earn second in 2A Divisional Tournament, qualify 19 for state tournament

by Art Adair
Contributing Writer
The San Juan High School wrestling team returned from the 2A Divisional Tournament in second place this past Saturday, January 25.
The Broncos were edged out by the host Beaver Beavers who scored 293 points to San Juan’s 226. Coming in third was Kanab with 187.5 points.
In the one-day tournament, eight teams competed in the 2A Division B for team and individual titles. Seven Bronco grapplers competed in championship matches starting at 106 pounds with Liam Lacy.
Lacy, a freshman, earned a semifinal win by fall to reach the finals. He faced off with Duchesne‘s Easton Moat in a tough battle. In his first divisional tournament, Lacy emerged as the 106-pound runner-up after falling to Moat.
Next up in the championship matches at 120 pounds were teammates Chad Yellow, a senior, and Grady Lacy, a junior. Yellow earned a trip to the finals with a quarterfinal fall over his opponent and a technical fall in the semifinals.
Grady Lacy reached the final match with two wins by fall. His semifinal match with Beaver’s Carson Kelsch was one of the most exciting matches of the night.
The grapplers went back and forth and had the entire gymnasium on their feet with Lacy ultimately beating Kelsch by fall in the third period with 47 seconds remaining in the match.
So the two Bronco teammates, Yellow and Lacy squared off in the 120-pound championship match. Yellow was victorious, pinning his familiar foe in the first period.
Sophomore Miken Keith earned quarterfinal and semifinal wins by fall to advance to the finals at 138 pounds for the Broncos.
He faced Leo Deleon of Beaver in the championship match, securing a victory and the divisional title by 13-1 major decision.
Senior Logan Keith, who bumped up to 165 pounds, picked up wins by fall in the quarterfinals and semifinals. He took on Kanab’s Cincinnatus Treadwell in the championship match, coming up just short and taking second place in a loss by 19-12 decision.
Senior JD Palmer reached the championship match at 175 pounds with a quarterfinal win by fall and a 14-4 major decision in the semifinals. He faced Titan Hunter of Beaver in a very physical matchup, suffering a tough loss by 9-4 decision to take second.
The final Bronco to wrestle in the championships was sophomore Thomas Harden at 190 pounds. Harden earned his way to the finals with all of his victories by fall. He faced off against Beaver’s Marshall Williams in the title match but was defeated by 10-5 decision.
Twelve additional Bronco grapplers secured top-eight placements and qualified for the 2A Utah State Tournament. Sophomore Jack Kartchner earned a third-place finish at 113 pounds.
Junior Koyer Johnson came away with a third-place finish at 126 pounds. His only loss was to eventual champion Kasen Bird from Duchesne. Johnson won two matches by technical fall and another by major decision on his way to the podium.
Sophomore Staley Dandy came in sixth place in the 132-pound division, earning two wins by fall on his way to the podium.
At 144 pounds junior Chance Laws placed sixth after being edged out by teammate Hunter Keith, a sophomore who claimed fifth. Keith earned wins by fall and decision to reach the podium while Laws earned a victory by fall.
Freshman Cameron Adair placed fourth at 150 pounds with wins coming by decision and fall. Ryus Blackhorse, a junior, also competed in the 150-pound division, placing eighth and qualifying for the state tournament.
At 157 pounds senior Taren Bayles came away with a sixth-place finish, earning three wins by fall. Senior Rigley LaGiglia, also at 157 pounds, placed fifth with four wins by fall.
Jayce Raisor, another sophomore for the Broncos, came away with a fifth-place finish at 165 pounds, winning three matches by fall and one by major decision.
Junior El’Myron Begay placed seventh at 190 pounds, qualifying for the state tournament. Freshman Gauge Palmer came home with a fourth-place finish at heavyweight with all of his wins coming by fall.
Freshman Stan Jones earned a tenth-place result for San Juan. Jones is new to wrestling and got quality mat time tournament, gaining great experience for next season.
The Broncos took 20 wrestlers to the divisional tournament and 19 qualified for the state tournament which is coming up February 6-7 in Richfield.
To alleviate overwhelming crowds the Utah High School Activities Association has moved the 2A boys tournament to Thursday and Friday. The 1A/2A girls tournament will take place on Saturday, February 8 in combination with the 1A boys tournament.

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