March 14, 2008: Vernal Express

Uintah Utes Take Third Place State Wrestling
by Casey Christensen

Even by Head Coach Gregg Stensgard’s high standards Uintah’s performance at the state tournament was impressive. The team brought home two champions, seven finalists, and 13 placers, but still could not place any higher than third. Meanwhile, Candace Workman made history by being the first girl to make the finals.

“I couldn’t ask for more from these guys,” said Stensgard. “They really overachieved to a point in some cases.”

He notes that last year the Utes were only able to place four wrestlers at the state tournament.

“This year we had seven finalists,” he said.

Why was that not enough for Uintah to take the top spot? Answer: Delta and Wasatch. The Wasps featured the toughest varsity line-up and Delta’s junior varsity was what Stensgard called “probably a little better than ours.”

“If you consider what we accomplished this year it is pretty amazing. We only had seven guys with any varsity experience,” said the coach. “Where we started the year and where we ended shows a lot of growth and speaks highly of our program.”

Uintah began the season going 5-5 in their first 10 duals, losing to North Sanpete and Cedar. Both teams placed lower than Uintah at the State tournament.

“There are a lot of teams that would like to be where we are,” he added.

Uintah’s performance was led by the team’s two state champions, both of whom will be back on the squad next year, Creedon Merkley (130) and Colby Christensen (112).

“Christensen wrestled a little tight and not as fluid as he usually is,” explained Stensgard. “So that match went the distance instead of ending in a tech or pin like we expected. Merkley took care of business pinning his kid. He won throughout the tournament from his feet, something we worked on.”

The other five finalists were Workman (103), Matt Sunkees (145), Justin Curtice (160), Josh Rhodes (215) and Rusty Farnsworth (285).

Although Workman made history by reaching the finals it was not her day to take home the first place medal.

“It was the best match that kid has ever wrestled against us,” said the coach.

Curtice’s match against Ethan Smith of Wasatch was the premiere match of the tournament, according to Stensgard. After losing twice to Smith throughout the season, and losing by a tech fall at region Curtice wrestled all three periods and lost the match 3-2.

Curtice’s match was not the only heart-breaker as Sunkees and Farnsworth both came close to a victory.

Two warriors going up against each other,” recounted Stensgard. “It was 1-1 with 30 seconds left and we got a little impatient giving up a takedown.”

“With Matt I think he wanted to win so badly he got into bad positions in the first period and allowed the kid to get a lead,” said Stensgard. “He turned him in the third and I really thought the match was over, I was surprised to see the kid fight off his back ... [Farnsworth] worked hard to avoid getting thrown. He wrestled a great match until he got worried about a stall call. It was 1-1with about 19 seconds and he started to panic.”

Stensgard mentioned the outstanding performance of Rhodes who after missing last year made the finals.

“You have to give him all the credit in the world,” commented Stensgard on Rhodes going to his back for the record-breaking pin. “He could’ve wrestled a match to not get pinned, but he went out there and tried to win. It was a David against Goliath match and Goliath won.”

Uintah had two Utes place third, Daniel Stratton (130) and Jesse Mckee (135). Stensgard said Mckee finally wrestled to the potential the coaching staff had seen in him throughout the year. Both Mckee and Stratton avenged their early tournament losses in the quarterfinals of the championships to take third place.

Taylor Merkley, a freshman wrestler Stensgard says he expects to be a superstar, placed fifth. Stratton Schultz, John Kunzler and Nick Merrick took home sixth place.

“Kunzler was a surprise, he started taking care of the little things,” commented the coach. “Merrick was lost his varsity spot but he never gave up all year long. Hard work is what he is all about. He may not be the most athletic wrestler on the team, but he never gives up and he is improving.”

“Overall I was impressed with the final round of the tournament,” said Stensgard. “They wrestled as hard as they could.”

That’s something this year’s team has done throughout the year.

“They’ve done everything I’ve asked,” he explained. “They have been champions all the time, not just on the mat, but on the bus when they lose or win. I’ve had no problems with these kids.”