Aug. 11, 2004: Vernal Express

Local Wrestling Talent has Impressive Showing Nationally

by Michael J. Bjornson, Express sports writer

Although football season is just getting underway, Uintah High School head wrestling coach Greg Stensgard, is excited about the upcoming wrestling season, and for good reason. He has an impressive and talented returning team that is ranked 26th in the nation. Over the spring and summer months, several of his team members have been busy making their mark on a national level. The Uintah High School team features three All American Wrestlers in Levi Mele, Jared McCurdy and Phillip Keddy. Levi, entering his junior year, placed first in the sophomore class at the National Championships in the 103 pound weight division. In July, he demonstrated tenacity with several comebacks to capture fourth place at the Junior Nationals in Fargo, North Dakota. This is the biggest tournament in the world according to Coach Stensgard. “Levi has really matured into a great wrestler,” stated Stensgard.

Jared McCurdy, also entering his junior year, earned All American honors by taking first in the 189 pound Sophomore Class, National Championships in Lincoln, Nebraska this past March. McCurdy placed third in the Utah State Meet, despite competing in a heavier weight division. Phillip Keddy earned All American honors by capturing fourth in the junior class National Championships this past spring. Keddy lost in overtime to the number two ranked — “overall” wrestler in the country. Phillip is a Utah state champion, who had an impressive 39 wins and one-loss record this past season.

This past summer, Coach Stensgard was a coach for Team Utah at the National High School Coaches Association Meet. Local wrestlers included Levi Mele, Shon Gurr, Phillip Keddy, Jared McCurdy, and Nate Curtice, along with wrestlers from the Salt Lake City All-Stars. As a team, they came away with a 3-2 record in duals, losing to a perennial powerhouse from Pennsylvania, who has captured three national championships.

During the summer, several wrestlers attended the Camp of Champs in Flagstaff, Ariz., amassing an extraordinary fourteen win and only one-loss record. This team included Ryan Young, Levi Mele, Shon Gurr, Kade Abplanalp, Chanse Rinderknecht, Dez Pitt, Czyz Woody, Chant Caldwell, Colton Tracy, Jared Ruppe, Jared McCurdy, Phillip Keddy, L.J. Jackson, and thirteen-year-old female, Candace Workman.

Vernal has become widely known for the All-American Wrestling Camp, which Coach Stensgard plays an active role in. This camp featured top wrestlers and coaches in the United States and world. This included two-time Olympic team member and 2000 Olympic Bronze medalist, Garrett Lowney, as well as Vernal’s Ryan Lewis, a Uintah High School graduate and recent graduate of the University of Minnesota. Lewis’s national accomplishments include eighteen All-American honors, three time national champion, and two time NCAA Division 1 runner-up. In June he placed fourth at the Olympic trials, barely missing a spot on the 2004 Olympic Team.

Four Uintah High School wrestlers recently returned from a 28 day high-intensity camp. Jared McCurdy, Jared Ruppe, Chanse Rinderknecht, and Shon Gurr attended the J. Robbison Camp. This renowned camp at the University of Minnesota at Minneapolis is centered around developing mental and physical toughness, while incorporating several important life lessons. One such lesson emphasizes the notion that anything worthwhile in life does not come easy. As an example of the physical toughness and stamina needed, according to Coach Stensgard, they had just one break in a four week period, which was an outing to a water park that they had to run four miles to and from to “enjoy”! Coach Stensgard expressed appreciation for what each of these wrestlers and their parents did to make this experience possible.

The Uintah High School wrestling program is steeped in winning tradition. Coach Stensgard believes in motivating and pushing his athletes to get to college and be successful in life. His teams have produced six college All-Americans. Pat Sharp is one of these All-Americans who took second in the Junior College Nationals and is now attending the University of Northern Iowa. There are three recent graduates who are going on to compete on the collegiate level this fall. This includes Cade Christiansen, Western Wyoming Junior College, Trevor Collett, Northwestern Junior College, and Kyle Bentley, who will attend Dana College in Nebraska.

Coach Stensgard is impressed with the determination and talent of the wrestlers on his team and stated that this year’s team could be the best team ever. He is looking forward to a tremendous and fun upcoming year. Stay tuned this fall when the action begins and the mats heat up..