Kearns wrestling living up to preseason billing
Before the season even started, Kearns High’s wrestling team was labeled as one of the top teams in 5A. The Cougars certainly haven’t disappointed anyone thus far.
With eight returning state competitors – including all five placers – Kearns has the experience and skill that set teams apart, especially toward the latter stages of the season.
The Cougars placed eighth overall at the 5A championships last year, as Anthony Montoya (103 pounds) and Gus Lavaka (285) each placed second in their respective division. Both return this season. Isaac Juarez (135, fifth place at state last year), Arthur Tomax (125, sixth) and Brad Mortensen (160, sixth) also return, as do state competitors Austin Kennedy, Antonio Meikel and Brady Isaacson.
Earlier this season, Kearns lost a non-region dual meet to Davis 54-19, but the final score was very misleading. The Cougars won seven of the 13 individual matches, but five were by decision (worth three points apiece). Kearns also earned a forfeit and pinfall win, and there was a double forfeit at 145 pounds.
Nick Thorpe won by forfeit at 113 pounds, Meikel (120) won 2-0, Erny Tomax (126) won by pinfall, Arthur Tomax (138) won 9-5, Juarez (152) won 15-5, Mortensen (182) won 7-2 and Joe Anitoni (220) won 2-1. Of Davis’ six victories, four were by pinfall (24 points).
The Cougars competed well at the Stallion Stampede in Stansbury, finishing seventh overall.
Mario Flores finished third and Moris Marquez fifth at 106 pounds, Townes Falcon was first and Kennedy fourth at 120 pounds, Erny Tomax was fourth at 126 pounds, Sione Finefeuaki was fourth at 182 pounds and Anitoni was fourth at 285 pounds for Kearns.
Mortensen competed at the annual Utah Amateur Wrestling Foundation All-Star Dual at the McKay Event Center in Orem. Mortensen, representing 5A, lost his individual match to 3A’s Zach Coffman of Tooele 11-3 at 170 pounds. Team 3A won the overall meet and 5A was second.
Taylorsville
Earlier this season, the Warriors lost a non-region meet to Murray 35-30. Taylorsville also placed 13th at the Stallion Stampede in Stansbury and 21st at the Layton Invitational.
Against Murray, the Warriors earned six individual victories. Jordan Pieper (120) won by forfeit, Phillip Teixeira (132) won 12-10, Colton Anderson (138) won by pinfall in 3:35, Dylan Wilson (182) won by pinfall in 5:54, Jonathan Cox (220) won by pinfall in 4:29 and Omar Perez (285) won 6-3.
Taylorsville placed 24th overall at state last year. Of the six wrestlers it sent, four earned team points: Chance Miller (145), Johann Rubio (145), Wilson (152) and Nick Pappas (152). Patrick Andrews (103) and Pieper (112) also competed but failed to earn team points. Rubio, Wilson and Pieper are returning from last year’s state meet contingent for the Warriors.
