February 2008: Sugar House Journal

Ram Wrestles to Region, State Titles
by Sarah Thomas

The Highland High School wrestling team ended its 2007-08 season with a fourth place finish in region. The team came in behind Olympus High, the region champions, Cyprus High and Cottonwood High. At the beginning of the season, head coach Ted Sierer said one of his team's main ambitions was to improve on how they finished in the previous season.

“We have a common team goal: improve from last season's third in region, ninth in state finish,” Sierer said. Although the team as a whole was unable to reach those targets, the Rams were represented well in both the region and state tournaments.

To start things off, Chad Payne won the region title in the 112-pound division and Mike Phetvixay proved he was the best of the 119-pounders. Last season, Phetvixay was fourth in state for his weight class so taking first in the region-wide competition was only the first step in another state tournament run. Montana Gardner earned a third place finish among 125-pounders and teammate David Lawrence was second in the 145-pound weight class. Johnny Hardy and Somi Langi also took home second place trophies; these boys competed in the 152- and 171-pound divisions, respectively. And finally, rounding out the Highland wrestlers in the region tournament, Justin Manu earned a second place finish and Chris Chacon came in fifth place, both of whom competed in the 285-pound weight class.

In the state wrestling competition, the Rams earned a 15th place finish; the Mustangs of Mountain Crest High School were the team state champions. Individually for the Rams, Phetvixay continued to make his case for state tournament recognition. After defeating Jed Shannon of Box Elder in the semifinals, Phetvixay moved on to wrestle Brock Brown of Payson High School. Just making it to the final match was exciting for Phetvixay, though, as it was a personal best for the senior.

“We've always had high hopes for this kid,” Sierer said, mentioning Phetvixay's extensive and successful, off-season competition schedule intended to ready him for the state tournament. “He makes up much of the backbone of this team.” Phetvixay went on to defeat Brown in the championship match on Feb. 15. at UVSC, making him a state champion.

As for the Rams' finish as a team, Sierer said it's only a matter of time until they're taking home the group firstplace trophy. “We're fairly young, we look young,” he said. “We have always had good wrestlers; we've just never been able to accomplish what we feel we are capable of.”

Sierer went on to say that he and his athletes will continue to work and set higher goals until they achieve all they set out to achieve.