Dec. 14, 2007: Deseret Morning News

Pl. Grove Wrestlers Top Rival Knights in a Romp
by Brian E. Preece

PLEASANT GROVE — Paced by their lower weight wrestlers, the Pleasant Grove Vikings again bested their rival Lone Peak 41-27 in the opening dual meet of the Region 4 season.

The Knights have generally had a solid program over the years, but beating their rival in a Region meet has been elusive. And for another year, the Vikings prevailed, this time relying on their lower weights.

The random drawing starting at 103 pounds played right into the Vikings' hands as Pleasant Grove posted four straight wins — two by pin, one by technical fall and one by forfeit — before Lone Peak's two-time defending champion Paul Johnson got the Knights on the board with a 13-3 win over Clint Jacob.

Kendrick Roberts and Justin Olsen secured pins at 103 and 112 pounds respectively, while Craig Young won by forfeit and Brock Nichols dominated Jordan Cormier 16-0 to give the Vikings a commanding 23-0 team lead.

Lone Peak made a run in the upper weights, starting with Josh Hunsaker's 9-5 win over Joel Robinette at 160 pounds.

This was followed by pins by Zane Mendenhall and Tanner Jones at 171 and 189 pounds respectively, which pulled Lone Peak within 11 points at 35-24.

After Jones' pin, the Knights needed two more to win the dual, but Pleasant Grove's Parker Dawe clinched the Viking win by losing to Lone Peak's Tyler Curtis 5-2.

Ahead eight points with only one match remaining, Korry Roper's pin wasn't necessary but still brought the raucous Viking crowd to their feet. Perhaps the best match of the night was at 152 pounds where Pleasant Grove's Alex Nicholes pulled off a mild upset of Chase Stilson, a returning state placer for the Knights. The Viking grappler won the match 9-7, catching Stilson on his back for a five-point move in the second round to go ahead 9-4.

Choosing top in the final round, Stilson fought back with a two-point near-fall and picked up a stalling point, but Nicholes had enough in the tank to win the match.

Another big win for the Vikings came at 135 pounds where Quin Nielsen pinned Zach Breur in the third round in what was a hotly contested match.

"Being a young team, we did what we needed to do," said assistant coach Chris Burton. Our lower weights came through for us. Each week we are getting better and making progress."

Lone Peak will compete at the tough Viewmont Invitational this week while Pleasant Grove is scheduled to travel to Nevada for the prestigious Reno Tournament of Champions early next week.

• 103 Pounds: Kendrick Roberts (PG) pinned Sam Henninger (LP) in the first round.

• 112 Pounds: Justin Olsen (PG) pinned Cory Hancock (LP) in the third round.

• 119 Pounds: Craig Young (PG) won by forfeit.

• 125 Pounds: Brock Nichols (PG) won by technical fall 16-0 over Jordan Cormier (LP).

• 130 Pounds: Paul Johnson (LP) major decisioned Clint Jacob (PG) 13-3.

• 135 Pounds: Quin Nielsen (PG) pinned Zach Breur (LP) in the third round.

• 140 Pounds: Todd Dearing (LP) won by technical fall 16-1 over Trevan Robinette (PG)

• 145 Pounds: Chase Lott (PG) decisioned Travis Johnson (LP) 5-2.

• 152 Pounds: Alex Nicholes (PG) decisioned Chase Stilson (LP) 9-7.

• 160 Pounds: Josh Hunsaker (LP) decisoned Joel Robinette (PG) 9-5

• 171 Pounds: Zane Mendenhall (LP) pinned Evan Argyle (PG) in the first round.

• 189 Pounds: Tanner Jones (LP) pinned Taylor Wilson (PG) in the second round.

• 215 Pounds: Tyler Curtis (LP) decisions Parker Dawe (PG) 5-2. 285 Pounds: Korry Roper (PG) pinned Jon Montrose (LP) in the first round.

• Referee — Paul Dart