February 2008: Sandy Journal

Alta Wrestler Finishes Undefeated Record with State Title
by Ron Bevan

He is the smallest athlete on the team, but wrestles head and shoulders above everyone else. And now he weighs just a little bit more due to the state championship
medal around his neck.

Alta sophomore sensation Carson Kuhn of Sandy, capped off an undefeated season by winning the 103 pound weight class 5A individual championship. He pinned every opponent he faced at state and also earned the recognition of coaches at the meet, held Feb. 13 to 15 at the McKay Events Center in Orem.

“He was named the 5A outstanding wrestler of the meet for the lower weight divisions,” said Kendall Kuhn, Carson’s dad and Alta’s assistant wrestling coach.
“It is an honor that is voted on by the coaches.”

The state recognizes two outstanding wrestlers in each school class size. It splits the weight divisions at 145 pounds and above and 140 pounds and below.

Carson Kuhn lost out early in last year’s state tournament. He left the tournament with new goals that helped propel him to the honors he has received.

“It was my main goal to be undefeated this year,” he said. “I was able to go 49-0. It was a lot of fun and it worked out.”

Kuhn pinned all of his opponents in the state meet while also keeping anyone from scoring takedown points. He overpowered each opponent so much that sometimes he would allow them to escape from a hold. Toying with an opponent this way allows the opponent to score a point, but Kuhn would quickly take them down again and score two points.

“Sometimes you want to let a guy escape so you build up better points on take downs,” said Kendall Kuhn. “Carson wanted more mat time, so he could practice
some of his moves for future matches. If you go in there and pin someone quickly, you don’t improve your wrestling skills.”

Carson Kuhn prepared for each match by focusing on himself and not his opponent.

“I don’t think about who he is or if he is ranked,” he said. “I don’t really get nervous about the match. I just try to think about the things I do best and focus on that.”

Alta sent 13 wrestlers to the state meet after winning the Region 2 team title for the fourth consecutive year. Besides Kuhn, the Hawks were represented at state by Mark Michaels (119), Matt Tranter (125), Matt Hood (130), Kevin Michaels (130), Eric Michaels (135), Dakota Ewell (140), Kyle Cleveland (152), Matt Cooley (160), Chase Herbert (171), Kaden Carli (171), Jordan Pierson (189), Taylor Myers (215) and Parker Erickson (285).

The best finishes Alta garnered at state besides Kuhn’s win were a third place from Cleveland and a fifth place finish for Carli.

Cleveland scored a pin in his first match, but lost a 10-9 decision to Andrew Park of Bingham. He then worked his way through the consolation bracket to face Park once more. This time Cleveland scored a pin for the third place finish.

Carli lost an early match in overtime to Shea Kopecky of Layton. Ironically, Carli, like Cleveland, would return to face Kopecky again, this time for fifth place. Carli scored a 10-0 decision for the win.