Utah schools hold their own at tourney

OREM — While representing the state at tournaments around the country, Utah wrestlers have won titles at some of the toughest competitions and established an impressive reputation for Beehive State grapplers.

The Rocky Mountain Rumble was born from this premise, and event organizer Cole Kelly has built a tournament to allow some of the most talented wrestlers from all over the western U.S. to compete.

"We have 52 teams from nine states this year," said Kelly. "The tournament is turning into what we envisioned. We wanted to build this event into something that can showcase the wrestlers we have here in Utah and bring in some top teams from other states. I think that of all the sports nationally, Utah is best represented in wrestling.

"People know about Utah wrestling because we had Olympic champion Cael Sanderson, but we have tons of former high school wrestlers that are doing well at the NCAA level and some that are at the International level. I think that the country knows that there are great wrestlers and competitions that come from Utah," Kelly said.

A perfect example in support of Kelly's view is the wrestling team from Millard. The school in Fillmore has a student population of 317 in grades 9-12. Not a huge number from which to draw, but the Eagles have represented themselves well at events all season. The Rumble was no exception as the team finished third out of the 52, and second behind only perennial powerhouse Wasatch from the Utah schools.

"It really shows what these kids are made of for them to come to a big-time tournament like this and finish in the top five," said Millard coach Blake Turner. "They have built a great tradition at the school. It is a good reflection on the kids and the community."

The Eagles placed three wrestlers in the finals with Mason Stott, Wade Eldridge and TJ Robbins getting to the last match and Robbins getting an individual title. The wrestlers for Millard were representing not only the team but the entire community as well.

"It really is an honor to wrestle for Millard," said Stott. "It means something to come from a small school and to fight against these big guys." It is a big deal to everyone around town. They all know who you are and that you are on the team. It gives them a sense of pride when you do well."

Third-place with 221 points is very respectable, but it was not the team's objective.

"We had it as a goal to win the tournament," said Robbins. "We know that we are a good team, and we wanted to prove it to everyone else. I think we've done that."

The overall team winner came all the way from Sedro Wooley High School in Washington with a score of 265.

Springville finished fourth with 189.5 points while Lakeside, Wash., was fifth at 189.5. Brighton was sixth with 181 and Bingham seventh with 180.5.

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