Bronco wrestlers third in North Sevier

by Rhett Sifford
Sports Editor
The busy past week for the San Juan High School wrestling team began not with a team trip but an individual trip. On Tuesday, January 10 Bronco senior Callen Burke traveled to Utah Valley University in Orem to represent the 1A and 2A classifications at 285 pounds in the annual Ross Brunson Utah All-Star Dual.
Burke came up against the #1-ranked heavyweight wrestler in the state, Lehi’s Isaac Terrell at the event. He took Terrell the distance, but suffered a 19-8 major decision defeat.
Congratulations are definitely due Burke on his outstanding performance and solid representation of San Juan High School wrestling.
Burke rejoined his team as they hosted their final home dual of the season the very next evening against Montezuma-Cortez. He dominated his Panther opponent, winning by fall in just seven seconds.
Other Bronco victors on the night included Chad Yellow (fall, 5:47), Parker Snyder (14-2 MD), Logan Keith (fall, 5:45), Taydan Mark (fall, 1:03), and Trace Bennett (fall, 3:46).
Friday and Saturday, January 13-14 San Juan concluded their busy week at the North Sevier Invitational in Salina, finishing third with 185.5 points.
They were just six points off the pace of tourney champion North Sevier and four points behind runners-up Canyon View.
As he has all season, Callen Burke continued to pace the Broncos, winning all three of his matches by fall to claim first place in the 285-lb weight class. In official competition he’s now 29-0 on the season.
Four San Juan wrestlers placed second at the event. Grady Lacy was 3-1 at 106 pounds with all three wins by fall. At 144 pounds Parker Snyder went 2-1 with a 10-2 major decision and a 12-5 decision.
JD Palmer got two wins with one loss at 150 pounds with one win by fall and one by 7-6 decision. And Taylor Black was 3-1 on the weekend with all three of his wins by fall.
Taydan Mark, wrestling at 165 pounds for San Juan, came home from Salina with a third-place medal. He went 5-1 with four of his wins by fall and the other coming in a 7-5 decision.
At 120 pounds Deklan Helquist finished fourth with four wins and two losses. All four of his wins came by fall.
Two Bronco wrestlers brought home fifth-place finishes. At 113 pounds Chad Yellow went 3-2 with 2 wins by fall and a 16-0 technical fall.
It took overtime for Logan Keith at 144 pounds, but he won his fifth-place match by 13-11 sudden victory. He was 4-2 on the weekend with two wins by fall and another by 5-3 decision.
San Juan travels to Monticello on Wednesday, January 18 for duals that you can see live on pictureitpalmer.com.
Friday and Saturday, January 20-21 they’ll compete at the Sand Devil Classic in Page.