Twenty Bobcat wrestlers battled in the 4A Northern Divisional Tournament held at Box Elder High School this year, and when the night was over six advanced to the State Championship Tournament. The wrestlers that moved on battled valiantly in the tournament, and the two Anderson’s on the team placed in the top five spots. Chet Anderson qualified 5th in the 189 pound weight class, while Brayden Anderson finished on top, repeating as state champion for the second year in a row.

The wrestlers that qualified for the state tournament were junior, Brandon Burger (13-33) in the 135 pound weight class taking 5th place at the divisional tournament. Burger lost his first match to freshman Kimble Bastion (43-13) from Maple Mountain. In the next round Burger lost a 12-2 Major Decision to sophomore Hayden Rentfro (27-20) from Westlake.

In the 140 pound weight class junior Abraham Herrera (29-19) faced off against senior wrestler Austin Riding (30-21) who pinned Herrera in the first round. In the second round Herrera was matched up against sophomore Jesse Crossett (5-8) from Mountain View. Herrera came out victorious in that match winning in a 8-1 decision. In the third round Herrera lost a 7-2 decision to Salem Hills senior, Dallin Gividen (44-17).

Entering the tournament having taken 5th place in the divisional tournament in the 145 pound weight class, Sky View senior Tyson Holden (11-12) squared up against Uintah junior Matt Batty (24-16). Losing that round by a pin Holden fought back in the second round beating Salem Hills senior Stetson Tallon (16-26) in a 9-3 decision. Holden then lost a 12-2 decision to Brian Shepherd (55-6), a junior from Provo who would finish the tournament in third place.

Sky View senior Brayden Anderson (46-3) entered the tournament as the first place qualifier from the Northern Divisional Tournament. As the defending champion in the 145 pound weight class Anderson has been the man to beat all year. With this target on his back he was undefeated after losing a match in a Wyoming tournament.

The only other losses came in the All-Star tournament when a controversial stalling call gave his opponent the 1 point victory.

Anderson would avenge that loss a week later at the Richardson Memorial tournament at Box Elder High School. Anderson’s only other loss came at the Regional Tournament where Anderson finished second. Again Anderson would find sweet redemption by beating the Box Elder wrestler a week later in the Divisional Tournament where he placed 1st. In the State Championship Tournament Anderson was the man to beat, but battling strep throat Anderson’s tournament may have been in jeopardy. However, beating Anderson would prove to be a feat that was easier said than done. Anderson marched through opponents with a tenacious resolve leaving defeated wrestlers in his wake.

In the first round Anderson first beat senior Stetson Tallon from Salem Hills in an 18-3 tech fall. In the second round Anderson dispatched Uintah junior Matt Batty via pin. Round three also ended in a pin when Anderson, put away DJ Argyle (37-9) a senior from Timpanogos. In the championship round Anderson was up against Box Elder sophomore Nick Sorensen (47-7). Sorenson was the Box Elder wrestler who handed Anderson one of only three losses in the season when he won a 5-0 decision at the Regional Tournament. Battling strep and the enormous target that had been on his back all year Anderson won a decisive victory over Sorenson in a 4-1 decision to earn the right to repeat as state champion and stand atop the victory podium for the second year in a row.

In the 189 pound weight class senior Chet Anderson (40-19) entered the State Championship Tournament with a 5th place victory in the divisional tournament. Anderson picked up his first victory by pinning Payson junior, Dalton Judd (21-19). In round two Anderson lost by pin to Cache Valley rival senior Joseph Carley (28-2) of Mountain Crest. Anderson then moved to the other side of the bracket to face off against Tavish Nelson (28-13) a junior from Snow Canyon, where he won via pin. Anderson would pick up his next victory in a 9-4 decision over Box Elder sophomore Kohler Smoot (40-19). Next up for Anderson was Provo senior Creed Richardson (57-4) losing in a 15-0 tech fall. Anderson would head into the final round to battle for the 5th place finish and a chance to place in the State Championship Tournament against Mountain Crest junior Drake Comer (46-13). The Cache Valley rivals would clash in an epic battle that Anderson would come out the victor in a 7-2 overtime victory. Anderson finished the tournament placing in 5th place.

The heavy weight wrestler from Sky View senior, Jaren Balls (12-10), entered the State Championship tournament having placed 5th in the Divisional Tournament. Balls was victorious by way of a pin over Springville senior Seth Cranford (6-9). In round two Balls was pinned by the eventual State Champion senior Shane Hardy (27-1) of Box Elder. Balls tournament would end in the third round with a loss to sophomore Jacoby Wildman (29-16) from the valley rival Logan Grizzly team.

This writer would like to offer his congratulations to all the wrestlers who qualified for state and battled hard to represent Sky View in championship fashion.