Feb. 10, 2007: Deseret Morning News

Mountain Crest Takes Title Over Box Elder, Springville
by Michael Black

OREM — What started out as a neck-and-neck three-team race turned into a two-team sprint by the final round and, against all expectations, ended up being another state championship for Mountain Crest.

Mustang coach Davie Swenson had planned on retiring after this season but, while celebrating the latest championship, said he was impressed enough with his up-and-coming team that he would have to reconsider sticking around for a few more years.

"I can't even begin to tell you how proud I am of this group of kids," said Swenson. "Last year we had 17 seniors. Most of these kids here were third men or junior-high kids last year. I don't know if I can give these guys up. Right now I'd have to say I'm going to be coaching next season. Who wants to give these kids to someone else?"

After Springville fell out of contention, two middle-weight matches where the Mustangs went head-to-head with Box Elder clinched the championship in the finals.

In the 145-pound match, Mountain Crest senior Zeke Smethurst battled through six rounds with Bees' junior Gavin Johnson before winning on a dramatic escape in the third overtime.

"(Johnson) never quits," Swenson said. "We knew that was going to be a really, really tough match, but I think the senior has a little edge."

Undefeated Ethan Lofthouse just missed a pin in the 152-pound match, but beat Kolby Williamson by technical fall to score the winning points and capture his second-straight individual title. This year, the celebration included his younger brother, Raider, who won his first state championship in the 103-pound match.

"It's always been a goal in our family," said Lofthouse. "That's what we're raised to. Once we get up to high school that's where we're going to peak. It's been a goal our whole lives."

Box Elder finished in second place, highlighted by Riley Yeates (171), who won his second championship.

The Bees got two more championships from Colby Kearl (160) and Riggin Holmgren (285)

Springville, the popular pick to win the tournament, didn't get the depth points it needed from its JV lineup. For consolation, the Red Devils' stars still had their way in the final rounds, winning four individual championships.

Kolby Bradley (119) and Jason Chamberlain (140) both won their third-straight championships. Bradley managed to close out the year strong, despite battling a case of pneumonia for the last several weeks.

"I've been sick for about a month," said Bradley. "It took a lot out of me for a while. I knew I had a big target on my back with people coming after me. It was a lot of hard work."

Logan Wilson (125) and Hayden Petersen (130) were Springville's other winners.

Other winners were Roy's Wyatt Ray (112), Cyprus' Matt Brown (135) and Ethan Jones (215), and Highland's Taylor Tate (189).