Dec. 5, 2007: The Herald Journal

Supreme Stangs
by Jason Turner

Given the strides it made during the 2006-07 season, there’s little question excitement abounds in the Logan wrestling program, and rightfully so.

Unfortunately for Grizzlies, there’s a reason Mountain Crest has won back-to-back 4A state championships, and the Mustangs proved that Tuesday night at a nearly-packed Crimson Gym.

Mountain Crest stormed out to a 11-0 lead and never looked back, rolling to a 56-18 victory over Logan, as the two schools renewed their rivalry following a three-year hiatus.

“I felt good. I thought our kids came out real focused,” MC head coach Davie Swensen said. “I know Logan was excited to wrestle us, and I think our kids were excited, too. ... Our kids came out and gave a real good effort.”

Logan head coach Bo Roundy felt the same way about his club, although he was hoping to score a few more points. Regardless, Tuesday’s dual provided the Grizzlies with the measuring stick they were looking for.

“We know that in order for us to grow, we have to measure ourselves against the best teams,” Roundy said. “We know how good Mountain Crest is. ... I oftentimes look at them and say, ‘What kind of program do I want?’ Well, I want a program like Mountain Crest’s.”

Which is a program laden with experience, but one that also has plenty of young talent. Eight of the grapplers who broke the Mustangs’ varsity lineup were underclassmen, and several of them shined.

Freshman 160-pounder Joseph Carley was certainly one of them, as he pinned Logan’s Von Adams with 38 seconds remaining in the opening round. Sophomores Zabinadi Smethurst (103 pounds) and Tyson Kendrick (125) also showed their mettle for Mountain Crest, winning their bouts by fall.

“He’s had a lot of success over the years, albeit at a different level,” Swensen said of Carley. “But he’s won a lot of matches and he’s wrestled a lot ... and he’s a very physical kid for a freshman.”

The Grizzlies also have some youngsters who are making some early-season noise, especially 119-pounder Jesse Dunn. The sophomore improved to 10-0 on the campaign with a 7-1 decision over Colby Hamilton.

Dunn went 9-0 at last week’s Carbon Duals, and looked the part of a confident wrestler Tuesday.

“I gained quite a bit (of confidence),” Dunn said when asked about the Carbon Duals. “I did a lot better than I thought I would. I don’t know, I feel I just came out ready to wrestle.”

As well as Dunn did, it was Logan’s veterans who scored the rest of the team points against their rivals to the south. Returning state placers Josh Thatcher (152) and Brett Kendrick (215) both took their opponents straight to their back and into a pinning combination, while Josh Thompson edged Skylar Riggs 4-2 in arguably the most exciting match of the night.

Riggs nearly caught Thompson with a quick shot late in the third period, but Thompson did a good job fending it off.

Thatcher was particularly impressive, finishing off a game Nate Rigby in the third period.

“I think the secret with him is maturity,” Roundy said of Thatcher. “He’s gotten tougher mentally and I think he just seems to have gained some confidence.”

Unfortunately for the Grizzlies, the rest of the night belonged to the Mustangs. Justin Kohler got things started by slowly breaking down Chase Carlisle and then turning it on in the second and third periods, winning by technical fall, 17-1.

It was an especially satisfying victory for the senior, who broke his collarbone a year ago and was unable to compete.

“This year I’ve been practicing hard and I’m back and I’m ready,” Kohler said. “I’m as ready as ever and I feel really good.”

After Thatcher and Thompson’s back-to-back wins, Mountain Crest took control for good, winning six of the next seven duels, including three by fall. All of a sudden a 17-9 Mustang led ballooned to 45-15.

In quite possibly the most anticipated match of the evening, MC’s Ethen Lofthouse proved why he is the No. 2 ranked junior 160-pounder in all the country. Lofthouse dispatched of Jordan Ballam by pinning him at the 1:27 mark.

Seniors Mike Donaldson (285) and Anthony Trippler (140) also won their bouts by fall for the Mustangs, while three-time state placer Jake Morrill was victorious by technical fall. Hayden Snow (189) was MC’s other winner, using a late takedown and subsequent back points to earn a major decision.

And although Logan was never able to put the outcome of Tuesday’s dual in doubt, Swensen is confident the Grizzlies are going to turn some heads this season.

“Bo’s doing a great job with this program,” he said. “He’s got a lot of kids and a lot of excitement, and they’re definitely going the right direction.”

A prime example of this is the number of wrestlers Logan has this year. Thirty-three JV matches were contested Tuesday, much to the delight of Swensen and Roundy.

“That’s incredible. That’s a success, No. 1, is the amount of matches that we got,” Roundy said. “And it might sound silly, but just the fact that Mountain Crest would wrestle us is a compliment to our program.”