Bronco wrestlers take third in Salina

by Art Adair
Contributing Writer
The San Juan High School boys wrestling team honored its seniors on Thursday, January 15 prior to a dual with Montezuma-Cortez.
Seniors Grady Lacy, El’Myron Begay, Koyer Johnson, Chance Laws, Ryus Blackhorse, DeJay Willis, and Zacharias Long were recognized alongside their parents before the event.
Following the ceremony the Broncos went on to defeat Montezuma-Cortez 45-29.
The evening opened with exhibition matches, where San Juan’s Ian Mark and Hunter Keith both secured wins by fall. In varsity action, Liam Lacy, Chance Laws, River Von Haden, and Stan Jones all earned victories by forfeit.
Zach Long picked up a big senior-night win, earning a quick fall in just 34 seconds. Thomas Hardin and Adney Singer also recorded first-period falls. Chance Laws closed the night with an exhibition win by technical fall, 19-1.
The match of the night featured San Juan’s Miken Keith against Montezuma-Cortez standout Rusty Snyder. Both wrestlers recently reached the milestone of 100 career varsity wins and are highly ranked in their respective state classifications.
The anticipated matchup lived up to the hype. Keith scored the opening takedown and held a 6-2 lead late in the third period. Snyder secured a takedown in the closing seconds, but Keith held on for a 6-5 victory.
Keith continued his dominant week at the North Sevier Invitational Friday and Saturday, January 16-17. He went 4-0 on the weekend, earning all four wins by fall, claimed first place, and was named Outstanding Wrestler.
As a team, the Broncos placed third at the two-day event, scoring 162 points. Cedar finished second with 186 points, while tournament champion Altamont accumulated 235 points. A total of 19 teams competed.
Individual results included Liam Lacy finishing third with a 3-1 record, all wins by fall. Grady Lacy earned a second-place finish, also going 3-1 with all victories by fall. Jayce Raisor placed sixth with a 3-3 record, all wins by fall.
River Von Haden went 4-1 to earn third place, recording two falls, one major decision (15-4), and one decision (9-6). Thomas Hardin also placed third, going 3-1 with two major decisions (11-1, 12-4) before earning a fall in the third-place match.
Kage Johnson recorded a fall at the tournament, while Koyer Johnson picked up two falls. Chance Laws earned a win by fall, and Hunter Keith finished with three wins – two by fall and one by 15-12 decision.
Cian Mark also secured a fall. Stan Jones, Adney Singer, Tallon McArthur, Zach Long, and El’Myron Begay all saw action over the weekend.
The Broncos opened the current week with a dual in Kayenta, AZ, too late for the San Juan Record print deadline.
San Juan will host the 2A Division A Tournament on Saturday, January 24 with first-round matches beginning at 10 a.m. The public is encouraged to attend and support the Bronco boys wrestlers.