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Utah Valley prep wrestling roundup: Season kicks off with Wrestling Against Cancer Duals

By Brian E. Preece - Herald correspondent | Nov 28, 2022

Brian E. Preece, Herald correspondent

Provo High School hosted the Wrestling Against Cancer Duals on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022, as 10 girl and six boy teams competed in 15 dual meets.

For the first three years of Cedar Valley’s wrestling programs, the Aviators have generally been grounded. But under new head coach Erik Gonzalez, the program seems ready to take flight and soar to new heights.

The prep wrestling season began the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and Provo High School hosted the 12th Annual Wrestling Against Cancer Duals. Cedar Valley’s boys and girls teams both went 2-0 in their debut performance in the event.

“We were honored to participate in the Wrestling Against Cancer Duals for such a great cause and with such quality competition,” said Gonzalez.

Last year, Westlake was a co-host for the event but dropped out in 2022 leaving Provo High to go it alone. With some teams scrambling for a place to wrestle, Provo hosted 15 dual meets (nine girls and six boys) on three mats in the space of five hours.

Cedar Valley’s boys team got its inaugural win in the 2022 campaign by blasting American Leadership Academy (ALA), 72-6. Then the Aviators pinned down Provo in its second dual, 68-12.

Dane Sorensen (106), Uriel Castillo (113), Braden Balmforth (126), Jeffrey Castleton (138), Chase Webb (144), Clark Gossard (150), Jayce Wandell (157), Ulysses Castillo (165), Cole Oliver (190), and Jack Done (215) won both of their matches.

Cedar Valley’s girls team wasn’t quite as dominant but defeated North Sanpete and ALA by identical 36-24 scores.

Aubrey Meyer (110), Stephanie Schmolke (115), Madison Mayes (170), and Natalie Milligan all went 2-0 for the Aviators.

Cedar Valley has around 75 athletes in its program which is exciting to their head coach.

“As far as our boys and girls teams, we are returning a solid core group that has improved from last year, but we’re most excited about the new additions as our numbers are way up and they are quality numbers,” Gonzalez said. “Our newcomers are really scrappy, hungry to learn and extremely coachable, so we’re really excited to see how much they improve as the season unfolds.”

Springville’s girls team looks like it could be the team to beat in 5A as the Red Devils put together two strong duals.

Springville defeated Canyon 42-24 in its first dual and then beat fellow 5A contender Mountain View, 48-24.

In a rematch of last year’s 125-pound 5A state championship match, returning state champion Izzy Clements pinned returning Mountain View’s Isla Baeza in the third round in a bout at 135 pounds. Baeza actually led in the match early before Clements took control and earned the fall.

Clements went 2-0 for the Red Devils as did teammates Valerie Ethington (125), Laura Weakley (130), Madelyn Boston (140), and Karalie Harris (145).

The Bruin girls did defeat Layton 48-27 and they had Ivory Cazier (105), Jasmine Golavar (110), and Bryndi Winget (235) go 2-0 on the night.

On the boys front, Layton showed why it’s the 6A favorite crushing Mountain View 60-15, though Mason Grow (144), Tyler Blevins (157) and Seth Johnson (215) picked up wins for the Bruins.

Mountain View then rebounded to defeat Skyridge 47-29. The Falcons went 0-2 as they also fell to Riverton in an exciting dual, 36-33. Tyler Rex (144) and Billy Ferguson (157) went 2-0 on the night for Skyridge.

Host Provo went 1-1 falling to Cedar Valley but then defeating ALA, 33-30.

Provo’s Christian Beesley (120) and Hunter Jakeman (175) won both of their bouts on the evening, as did returning 3A state champion Andrew Fox (132) of ALA.

ALA’s girls team went 0-2 but returning state champion Rachel Camacho (120) had a good night going 2-0. Also going 2-0 for the Eagles were Kya Smith (130), Aerial Worthen (145), and Constance Grenot (170).

Provo’s Talia Hew Len (105) and Lacy Greer (110) won their matches wrestling for the independent team as did Skyridge’s Nadia Thomas (130).

During the event Provo High Wrestling presented a check to Provo assistant football coach Kevin Norman who continues his fight against Ewing Sarcoma cancer.

Davis Duals: On Wednesday Mountain View’s boys wrestled five more duals and went 5-0 at the Davis Duals as did Bear River.

Mountain View defeated in order Riverton 39-29, Grantsville 58-14, host Davis 45-29, Stansbury 45-27 and Roy 66-12.

Undefeated wrestlers for the Bruins were Glade Harman (126), Mason Grow (144), Samuel Burr (150), Tyler Blevins (157) and Seth Johnson (215).

Orem also competed in the tournament and went 0-5 in its duals.

In other dual meet action during the week, Farmington’s boys defeated American Fork 44-36, Tintic tripped up the Utah Military Academy 35-6, and Westlake whipped Maple Mountain 68-12, as did the Thunder girls, 55-15.

Brian E. Preece, Herald correspondent

Mountain View’s Usla Baeza (top) battles Izzy Clements of Springville during the Wrestling Against Cancer Duals at Provo High on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022. The pair battled for the 5A title in 2021 won by Clements. Clements won by pin in this bout in the third round.

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