Two Lady Bronco grapplers win individual state championships as team takes third place

by Art Adair
Contributing Writer
The San Juan High School girls wrestling team concluded their season this past Saturday, February 14 at the 1A/2A Utah State Tournament at the Sevier Valley Center in Richfield.
Individually the Lady Broncos placed ten of their 13 wrestlers on the podium, earning a third-place team finish with 125.5 points.
Enterprise claimed second place with 154 points, while Duchesne captured their third straight state championship with 237 points. Twenty-two teams participated in the growing tournament.
The San Juan girls entered the weekend with high hopes for both team and individual success.
Breckyn Helquist and Hannah Todachinnie competed hard for the Lady Broncos, earning valuable state experience.
Both underclassmen will have another opportunity next season. Senior Nevaeh Sampson, a two-time state qualifier, earned a victory by fall but was unable to reach the podium.
Freshman Lydia Hawks advanced to the fifth-place match at 105 pounds, facing a Panguitch opponent in a back-and-forth battle.
Hawks gave a tremendous effort but fell just short in a 12-11 decision, earning a sixth-place finish in her first state appearance.
At 140 pounds, freshman LaRyeus Benally earned a fall in the quarterfinals before sustaining an injury in the semifinals.
Unable to continue, she medically forfeited but still secured a sixth-place finish due to her earlier success.
Another freshman, Jyel George, fell in the quarterfinals to the eventual state runner-up but battled back through the consolation bracket, earning a third-period fall to secure a sixth-place finish.
All three freshmen reached the podium in their first state tournament. Coaches were impressed with their mental toughness and ability to bounce back from early setbacks and are excited about their future growth.
Sophomore Kadie Palmer (115 pounds) earned a quick fall just 56 seconds into her consolation match before advancing to the fifth-place bout. She ultimately placed sixth, improving from last season when she did not place.
At 170 pounds, junior Caydence Joe earned a 43-second fall in the opening round before facing the eventual state runner-up.
After dropping into consolation, Joe battled back with a second-period fall to reach the placing rounds, finishing sixth in her first season as a Bronco. Coaches praised her development in a very competitive weight class and look forward to her senior season.
Junior Morgan Kaytso capped off another strong season in the heavyweight division. One of the lighter heavyweights in the class, Kaytso earned a second-period fall in the quarterfinals.
After falling to the eventual state champion in the semifinals, she rebounded with another first-period fall in consolation before finishing fourth. Kaytso ends her season at 22-9 and is now a two-time state placer.
Senior Saylor Dandy improved on last season’s fourth-place finish by earning third at 190 pounds. Dandy opened with a first-period fall in the quarterfinals.
After a physical semifinal loss, she rebounded with a second-period fall in the consolation semifinals. In the third-place match, Dandy secured a late third-period fall to close out her career on a high note, finishing the season 27-10.
Sophomore Kheirra Keith finished her season at 130 pounds with a 31-13 record. After a first-period fall in the quarterfinals, she fell to the eventual state runner-up in the semifinals.
Undeterred, Keith responded with a quick fall in the consolation semifinals before dominating a familiar opponent 24-9 by technical fall to claim third place. Coaches praised her mental fortitude and focus in overcoming a previous head-to-head loss.
In the first of two championship matches for the Lady Broncos, junior Saraeya Mills returned to the finals after finishing runner-up last season.
Mills opened with a first-period fall in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, she trailed entering the third period before securing a dramatic last-second fall against her Kanab opponent.
In the championship match, Mills faced Priseis Parker of Monument Valley in the first of two all-San-Juan-County finals.
After a hard-fought three periods, Mills earned a 9-6 decision to capture her first state title. She finishes the season 26-8 and was also named an All-Star nominee.
The final San Juan match of the night featured returning state champion Khatira Keith. The senior opened her tournament with one of the fastest falls of the event, pinning her quarterfinal opponent in just 18 seconds. In the semifinals, she earned a 17-8 major decision over a Kanab opponent.
In the championship match, Keith faced Monument Valley’s Aiyana Parker in another all-San-Juan-County showdown. In a gritty, hard-fought match, Keith secured a 5-0 decision to become a two-time state champion.
She concludes her senior season with a 36-3 record and leaves the program as its first two-time state champion, holding multiple team records. Coaches praised her natural athleticism and commitment to extra work that elevated her to the top of the podium.
Coaches expressed pride in both the team’s collective success and individual accomplishments. Girls high school wrestling continues to be one of the fastest-growing sports in the nation, and the staff encourages any girls or parents interested in joining next season to reach out.