Westlake wrestler makes most of opportunity at All-Star Dual
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- Westlake’s Jamyne Xoumphonphackdy competes against Milford’s Boston Thompson during the 2025 Ross Brunson All-Star Dual at the UCCU Center in Orem on Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2025.
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- Westlake’s Jamyne Xoumphonphackdy (top) competes against Milford’s Boston Thompson during the 2025 Ross Brunson All-Star Dual at the UCCU Center in Orem on Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2025.
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- Wrestlers compete during the 2025 Ross Brunson All-Star Dual at the UCCU Center in Orem on Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2025.
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- Wrestlers compete during the 2025 Ross Brunson All-Star Dual at the UCCU Center in Orem on Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2025.
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- Wrestlers compete during the 2025 Ross Brunson All-Star Dual at the UCCU Center in Orem on Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2025.
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- Wrestlers compete during the 2025 Ross Brunson All-Star Dual at the UCCU Center in Orem on Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2025.
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- Wrestlers compete during the 2025 Ross Brunson All-Star Dual at the UCCU Center in Orem on Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2025.
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- Wrestlers compete during the 2025 Ross Brunson All-Star Dual at the UCCU Center in Orem on Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2025.
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- Wrestlers compete during the 2025 Ross Brunson All-Star Dual at the UCCU Center in Orem on Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2025.
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- Wrestlers compete during the 2025 Ross Brunson All-Star Dual at the UCCU Center in Orem on Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2025.
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- Wrestlers compete during the 2025 Ross Brunson All-Star Dual at the UCCU Center in Orem on Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2025.
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- Wrestlers compete during the 2025 Ross Brunson All-Star Dual at the UCCU Center in Orem on Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2025.
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- Wrestlers compete during the 2025 Ross Brunson All-Star Dual at the UCCU Center in Orem on Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2025.
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- Wrestlers compete during the 2025 Ross Brunson All-Star Dual at the UCCU Center in Orem on Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2025.
When opportunity knocks it is best to open the door and take advantage of it.
That’s exactly what Jamyne Xoumphonphackdy (126 pounds) did Wednesday night at the 25th Annual Ross Brunson All-Star Dual held at the UCCU Event Center on the campus of Utah Valley University.
The Westlake senior was a late fill-in and not only was Xoumphonphackdy excited to be there he pulled out a 9-0 major decision victory over Milford’s Boston Thompson, a returning 1A state champion.
“It feels amazing,” Xoumphonphackdy said. “I’ve always come to the all-stars to watch some of my teammates like Brayden Robison and saying ‘one day I’m going to make it on these mats.’ Even if it was just at the last minute, it was a great opportunity for sure.”
As Westlake has grown into an elite wrestling program, Xoumphonphackdy was behind other wrestlers. Still, since Utah does allow J.V. or second string wrestlers a chance to qualify and compete at the state tournament, the Thunder grappler has taken advantage of this opportunity placing third at last year’s state meet at 126-pounds. His teammate Israel Borge, by the way, placed second. As Borge is a sophomore this season, he is just one of many great workout partners Xoumphonphackdy has in the wrestling room.
With the win, Xoumphonphackdy improved his record to 21-2 and has proved to be a threat to climb to the top of the podium in 6A this season. He has already won the Christmas Clash, and last weekend, the Richardson Memorial.
One of the most decorated wrestlers in this event was Spanish Fork’s Karson Shelley (120) who easily defeated Xoumphonphackdy’s Westlake teammate Corbyn Robison by technical fall, 17-1. Shelley is seeking to be Spanish Fork’s first ever 4-time state champion while Robison won a state title last year in 6A. While many of the elite boy wrestlers didn’t participate in the All-Star Dual Wednesday night, there was no way Shelley was going to pass up this opportunity.
“The big thing is I don’t cut any weight,” Shelley said. “I walk around at 122 which is my weight. I think a lot of guys are cutting so much weight, they don’t want to cut like 15 pounds to wrestle in this and then make weight on Friday (for their next tournament).”
Shelley will look to defend his title at Rockwell Rumble this weekend and appeared to be in top form in this event.
“I like scoring points,” Shelley said. “I push the pace so I can end it quick,”
One of the best matches of the night featured two local wrestlers in Glade Harman of Mountain View and Wasatch’s Ben Kohler at 132 pounds. Both wrestlers are returning state champions as Harman won the 4A title at 132 pounds and Kohler was the 5A state champ at 126 pounds. Their match didn’t disappoint.
After a scoreless first period, Kohler earned a reversal to take a 2-0 lead. Harman scored a point to make it 2-1 going into the third round. Kohler was on top in the third period and had rode out Harman for most of the period before Harman escaped with five seconds left to send the match into overtime.
Harman then made a quick shot and Kohler tried to counter, but Harman was able to score the needed points to win 4-2.
“I just had to get moving and get out,” related Harman about his final escape. In regards to the final takedown Harman added, “It was a mentality thing. Just kept bouncing and kept it going.”
Harman was also very complimentary of his opponent.
“Ben (Kohler) is so tough and just fun to wrestle.”
Lots of local girl wrestlers also took to the mats for this event and one match featured Wasatch’s Regan Heywood against Provo’s Ella Reynolds, who like Westlake’s Xoumphonphackdy, got a last minute call to fill in. However in her case, she fell short as Heywood won 4-0.
Heywood is the sister of Ritchie and Sammy Heywood who won multiple state titles in the Wasp boy’s program and joining her brothers on top of the podium is definitely on her radar.
“I want a personal one and the team (title),” Heywood said. Incidentally, Wasatch won the team title last year but didn’t have an individual champion.
Heywood is also very glad she decided to wrestle, and for Hailey Corona, one of the pioneers of female wrestling in the state.
“It’s been so fun, the best experience,” said Heywood. “The choice to just try one practice changed my life. I’m so glad I did. She (Corona) has been such a role model for me. I’m so grateful for everything she’s taught me on and off the mat.”
Wasatch brought three wrestlers to the All-Star Dual and all won as Marabelle Brown pinned Addison Hills of Green Canyon while Mackenzi McCoy put up the points defeating Duchesne’s Ariana Jones by major decision, 21-7.
Salem Hills’ Avery Winterton, fourth in state last year, pinned Cedar Valley’s Hallie Denney with just one second left in round one. Winterton was generally happy with her performance and the ability to get the edge over a possible contender in her weight class.
“It was good, I worked hard. I got a little sloppy with it but I kept working hard,” Winterton said. “It’s nice to know that I can do it.”
Freshman sensation Giovanna Good of Cedar Valley, who has lost just once this season, won with a 45 second pin of Panguitch’s Kieran Mooney in a bout at 135 pounds. And another budding freshman superstar Tevia Nau Rarick (190) stayed unbeaten when she picked up a first period pin against Sydnee Nielson of Bear River.
Local boy winners: Karson Shelley (Spanish Fork, 5A/6A) 120 pounds; Jamyne Xoumphonphackdy (Westlake/Wildcard) 126 pounds; Glade Harman (Mountain View, 3A/4A) 132 pounds; Hanks Jacobsen (American Fork, 5A/6A) 138 pounds; Kaizen Detoles (Westlake, Wildcard) 165 pounds; Landon Shumway (Mountain View/Wildcard) 190 pounds.
Boys Team Scores: 5A/6A 39 2. Wildcard 33 3. 3A/4A 18 1A/2A 12.
Local Girls Winners: Martha Camacho (ALA, 1A/2A) 115 pounds; Marabelle Brown (Wasatch/Wildcard) 125 pounds; Mackenzi McCoy (Wasatch/Wildcard) 130 pounds; Regan Heywood (Wasatch/Wildcard) 135 pounds; Giovanna Good (Cedar Valley, 5A/6A) 135 pounds, Avery Winterton (Salem Hills, 5A/6A) 155 pounds; Madison Sherman (Skyridge/Wildcard) 155 pounds; Tevia Nau Rarick (Westlake 5A/6A) 190 pounds; Asinate Mafuahinga (Cedar Valley, Wildcard) 190 pounds.
Girl Team Scores: 1. Wildcard 46 2. 3A/4A 43 3. 5A/6A 36 4. 1A/2A 12.
Full results can be found at www.trackwrestling.com.
