King dominated his quarterfinal and semifinal matches, securing technical falls in both to advance to the championship bout. His final opponent, Nash Jensen from Delta, was a familiar foe–King had already defeated him three times this season. Confident in his preparation, King controlled every position in the match, showcasing his perseverance and tactical dominance.

“This is a goal I have been working towards for a long time, and it meant a lot to accomplish it with my dad as my coach by my side,” King said after the victory. “He believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself and always pushed me past my limits.”

Coach Kris King had nothing but praise for his son and athlete, expressing his pride in Krew’s long-awaited state title.

“For years I’ve tried to tell him how good he is. I always knew he had it in him to be a state champ,” Coach King said. “When he’s calm and not nervous, his wrestling skills are incredible to watch. Even though his finals match wasn’t his best performance, his perseverance and grit held on for the win.”

Assistant Coach Spencer Dyches also lauded Krew’s leadership and growth. “Krew is truly the epitome of a great teammate through his leadership on and off the mat. He’s the most humble and respectful young man I’ve ever coached. The one thing that held him back in the past was his confidence in big matches, and that changed for him at the end of last year. Seeing that improvement, there was no doubt in my mind that Krew was going to be a state champion! It’s been an honor to coach him, and I can’t wait to see what life has in store for him.”

Joining King as a 3A State Champion was Taualoa “Odin” Laupapa, who made an extraordinary leap from never placing at State to standing atop the podium. Last season, he fell just short of a medal, losing in the blood round. This year, he entered the season ranked 4th in 3A and steadily gained confidence.

“After four years of fighting how good he could be, he finally embraced his talent and wrestled to his true potential,” Coach Tyler Lee said. “So many times in life, we run from how great we truly can be.”

“He always showed up to practice, but after Christmas break, something clicked,” Coach King noted. “It was at the Tournament of Champions where he started believing he could compete with the best. We coaches saw it in him all along.”

Laupapa remained composed heading into his state finals match against Weston Ritchins from Union, executing his strategy with patience and precision. In the end, he delivered a decisive pin, securing his title and completing his incredible turnaround.

Beyond the two state champions, three additional North Sanpete wrestlers battled their way onto the podium, each displaying grit and resilience:

Chase Sorensen fought through one of the toughest brackets, even facing a teammate early on. His hard work paid off as he improved from last year, finishing 4th at State.

Killian Olsen proved that heart and determination can turn the tide. His clutch takedown with two seconds left in the blood round was a defining moment, securing 5th place on the podium.

Teagin Poulsen gave it everything in an epic semifinal battle, pushing one of the best wrestlers into triple overtime. Though the win slipped away, he placed 5th at State–a testament to his relentless spirit.

Kris King, a former North Sanpete State Champion, has led the North Sanpete wrestling program alongside assistant coaches Tyler Lee and Spencer Dyches for the past four years. In that time, they have helped three wrestlers achieve state titles, solidifying the team’s growing legacy.

This year’s North Sanpete wrestling team exemplified dedication, resilience, and the power of believing in oneself. With two state champions and three additional state placers, the program continues to build momentum and inspire future generations.

What a way to finish the season!