Monument Valley High student athlete wrestler earns All-State honors

One wrestler representing Monument Valley High finished third or better at the 1A/2A girls state tournament on February 10.
As part of an effort to honor winter All-State athletes, the San Juan Record is proud to present these outstanding wrestlers in special profiles featuring photos and comments from their coaches.
Profiles of additional All-State athletes will appear in upcoming issues of the Record once the teams are named by the Deseret News.

Yanabah Smith
1A/2A wrestling ~ third place
Monument Valley Senior
3 wins ~ 7 losses

Head Coach Sidiah Parker: “Yanabah is a tremendous student and athlete who is not afraid to challenge herself. She was a multiple-sport athlete who competed in cross country and at the same time was also active in cheerleading. Although she had never wrestled before and started her high school wrestling career in January of this year, the late start did not seem to faze her.
“Her first week competing she placed fourth in her first tournament. Then she finished third in her second tournament. At her first state tournament ever she rose to the challenge and won an exciting match to place third in the 1A classification. She is the first female Monument Valley High School wrestler to place at State.
“The bar has been placed high for these future, younger female wrestlers. Yanabah was also Ms. MVHS which is an honor and a big achievement here on the Navajo reservation. Yanabah Smith took great pride in leadership for her fellow Cougar teammates and set a great example of hard work and dedication. It was an honor and privilege to coach such an amazing young lady who has a bright future ahead of herself.”