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OREM — Harrison Riggs was never the most athletic wrestler in the Mountain View High wrestling room. He wasn't the strongest, or the fastest.
But the 220-pounder had an incredible work ethic since the day he arrived at the Bruins' junior high program nearly five years ago, Mountain View coach Chad Blevins said.
And because of him, the Bruins' hopes of a state title are still alive.
Riggs' win by fall gave Mountain View a 39-24 advantage over Woods Cross in the quarterfinals of the Class 4A state duals Wednesday, and the Bruins went on to win 39-28 to face Maple Mountain at the Maverik Center in Thursday's semifinal.
"That was the moment we knew that if we won that dual, it was over," Mountain View coach Chad Blevins said. "What a critical, fun match. He's a senior captain, and one of those kids who wasn't a very good athlete. But he came out as an eighth-grader, and put in the time.
"Of all the kids to have that moment, I'm most excited it was him."
The host Bruins won one of four four-team pods that acted as the first two rounds of the inaugural UHSAA Class 4A state duals on Wednesday, rolling to a 65-12 win over a less-than-full-strength Payson squad in the first match. Woods Cross advanced to the winner-take-all quarterfinal with a 63-10 thumping of Olympus.
Early in the final dual, it looked like Woods Cross would have the advantage. The Wildcats got wins in four of the first five matches after Gabe Nelson won by fall at 113 pounds. Mountain View's Gabe Terry pulled the Bruins even, 6-6, with a pin at 120.
4A semifinals
All semifinal meets Thursday at 5 p.m.
Box Elder vs. Wasatch
Mountain View vs. Maple Mountain
5A semifinals
Pleasant Grove vs. Mountain Crest
American Fork vs. Herriman
Final: Winners at 7:30 p.m.
But the Wildcats got wins from Carson Halls (126), Ben Harden (132) and Bronc Marriott (138) to take an 18-6 lead early.
"Woods Cross is a great all-around dual team, and I knew that it was going to be a tough battle," Blevins said. "They wrestled us tough at the (Bruin) Classic, and I felt like our seniors stepped it up in that dual."
Sheldon McNiven (145) and Keegin Bray (152) both won by pin to pull Mountain View even, 18-18, and the two squads traded narrow wins from Mountain View's Jonathan Terry (160) and Woods Cross' Marcos Zarate (170).
The Wildcats took the lead again on Gibson Hezkeia's one-point win over Mountain View's Adam Seegmiller, going ahead 24-21.
But Bruin standout Keegan Ngatuvai won by fall at 195 pounds, and Riggs' pin clinched the dual for a Mountain View team that also got six-points via forfeit from heavyweight Colton Rigby.
"Ngatuvai did what Ngatuvai does," Blevins said with a grin. "All I can say is, don't tie up with Ngatuvai."
Woods Cross 106-pounder Thomas Gordy won the final match by major decision, 14-2. But the damage had already been done.
"It's awesome. It's super exciting. This is a great opportunity," Blevins said. "I'm really excited that we get to wrestle Maple Mountain, because they are one of the best teams in the state. We need that to prepare us for state."
In the other 4A quarterfinals, Maple Mountain defeated Bountiful, Wasatch defeated Highland, and Box Elder beat Uintah.
Maple Mountain will face Mountain View, and Wasatch will face Box Elder at 5 p.m. Thursday at the Maverik Center.
In the 4A state duals, Herriman and American Fork each won their brackets and will face off at 5 p.m. Thursday at the Maverik Center. Pleasant Grove and Mountain Crest will square off in the other semifinal, with the winners advance to the final at 7:30 p.m.
