Dec. 7, 2005: Vernal Express

Uintah High School Wrestlers Take It to the Mat
by Brenden Eden

Uintah High School wrestling team faced their first dual tournament in Las Vegas last weekend and took second after a slow start.

“I am happy with how we did,” said Coach Greg Stensgard. “The team really matured during the two day tournament.”

Friday the Utes faced a strong team from Mojave, Calif. Uintah lost 28 to 43, but after that they quickly fired up for the rest of the tournament.

In the next dual against Durango, the Utes had 8 pin and only lost one match for a 72 to 6 win.

Uintah junior Zach Reynolds was down in his match and with a short time left came out to pin his opponent.

In the Saturday dual, Uintah defeated another strong team, Palo Verde, 49 to 21. A big match came from Chance Rinderknecht (130 lbs) who was able to gain in a win in double over time by holding his opponent down.

The Utes were still moving strong with another 8 pins against Montrose (57 to 18). One pin came from freshmen Cade Chew (152 lbs) during the third round. Chew was down 8 to 1 and with a head throw came out with the stick.

The Utes started off real slow in the semi final match against Payson, but quickly turned around to win 52 to 21.

In the final dual of the tournament, Uintah had to settle for second as Temecula Valley, Calif. defeated them 42 to 20.

The Utes went back and forth with Temecula at the beginning of the dual. Senior Jared McCurdy, after being nearly pinned in the first round, came out with a chip on his shoulder in the third round. With time almost out McCurdy pinned his opponent. Zach Reynolds also had a close match moving into over time 0-0. Reynolds quickly took his opponent down for the win.

The Uintah High Wrestling team started off their season Tuesday last week with a red and white wrestle off.

The teams came out at 6 p.m. for the meet. Students were announced as they took the mat, and the matches were on. Regulation matches were held for each wrestling match, and then a winner was decided. Matches went on late into the night, wrestlers all hoping to get a good pin and impress the audience.

Wrestler Jake Bailer said, “This season is going to be a great one for all the Utes to remember. Hopefully, we can make it to State this year. I think we’ll win.”

Uintah will wrestle against Green River at home Wednesday night. Varsity will begin at 7 p.m. and VJ will be at 5:30 p.m.