4-time champ Lee leads South Summit to first 2A title since 2011


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OREM — If South Summit's Matt Lee wasn't nervous before appearing in his fourth-straight state wrestling title match, his coaches gave him just what he needed to get amped up.

While warming up before his match, a coach approached him and said there was a "99 percent chance" the Wildcats would unseat seven-time defending state champion Delta if he won his match at 126 pounds.

Challenge accepted.

Lee won by pin in 1 minute, 29 seconds over Millard's Adrian Villa, and South Summit secured its first Class 2A state title since 2011, when Delta was winning titles in 3A, Saturday evening at Utah Valley's UCCU Center.

"I don't know how much adrenaline you can pump into one human being, but it was incredible," Lee said. "I'm never going to forget this moment. I'm grateful for my teammates and coaches."

Lee shot in for a takedown on Villa in the first 20 seconds, and took him down seconds later with a throw.

"I like to push the pace in matches and go out as fast as I can," Lee said. "I figured when I had an opportunity to take him down, I had to capitalize on it."

The Wildcats finished with 247 team points to Delta's 226.5. Millard was third with 222.5, followed by North Summit (198.5) and North Sevier (197.5). The Rabbits were gunning for their eighth-straight title overall, having won 3A titles from 2009-13 and the past two 2A titles, and their 33rd overall — the most in UHSAA history.

"We knew going into his match that if he had a pin and our bonus points, and we were wrestling each other head-to-head at 170, we'd seal the deal," said South Summit coach Jake Woolstenhulme, who was named 2A coach of the year. "It came down to him, and when he got the fall, we knew it was ours. It was awesome."

Photo: Jay Dortzbach, KSL TV
Photo: Jay Dortzbach, KSL TV

Lee, a senior, became the 29th four-time state champion in Utah prep history. Once the pin was finalized and his arm raised for the fourth time in a state final, he leapt into the open embrace of his coaches.

"My whole life, I wanted to be a four-time state champ," Lee said. "I grew up chasing that goal, and when I heard the ref slap that mat, I had so much emotion going through me, I didn't know what to do with it.

"I'm just so overwhelmed and thankful for everybody who has got me here. I'm glad I could capitalize on the opportunity."

In addition to Lee, South Summit's Broughton Flygare won the 170-pound title with a pin in 4:56 of teammate Christian Neuenschwander. The Wildcats also got runner-up finishes from Kevin Mora (145) and Jared Blazzard (195).

South Summit placed 16 wrestlers on the podium in spots 1-6, winning the team title with just two individual champions.

"When I started, we didn't have a lot; we started from scratch with these seniors as freshman," Woolstenhulme said. "I knew that this was the year that we could get it done.

"It took a lot of hard work, but it was a team effort. We didn't have a team full of studs, but we just went out there and knew we could place almost everyone. That's what wins the title for us."

Delta finished with three state champions in Brady Poulsen (113), Tanner Shields (160) and Brett Walker (285).

"These kids had a goal all year to do it. They had a motto to 'steal the show,'" Woolstenhulme said, pointing to a Wildcat team shirt. "The pre-rankings had us ranked third, and they said if anyone can do it, South Summit can steal the show. That's what they did."

Class 3A

Bear River stormed to an insurmountable lead before the finals and cruised to its first state wrestling title since 1966.

Holden Richards won the Bears' first individual title at 126 pounds, followed by Cooper Skinner (138), Kaygen Canfield (145) and Josh Madsen, who pinned first-year wrestler Bundy Sewell of Desert Hills at the 7:01 mark of the first overtime period.

Juab finished second with 198 points, followed by Morgan (149), Desert Hills (140) and Cedar City (115).

Class 1A

Duchesne defended its 2015 state title with 199 points, edging out Altamont (195.5) for its second-straight team championship.

The Eagles were led by Jonah Schoppe at 106 pounds, and also placed David Vantassell (113), Stockton Moate (145)Steven Skewes (152) Gatlin Thompson (170) and Shaydon Summarell (182) on top of the podium.

NOTES:

Former Wayne coach Kerry Anderson was inducted into the UHSAA circle of honor prior to the evening's final bouts. Anderson, a former All-WAC wrestler at BYU, was one of the most successful wrestling coaches in Utah prep history, leading the Badgers to 16 state championships and eight runner-up finishes.

Anderson, who retired in 2012 after five decades at Wayne, won 20 region titles and received a unanimous standing ovation from the near-capacity crowd at the UCCU Center. He coached 99 individual state champions and 27 All-American wrestlers, while sending several of his top prospects to BYU, Utah Valley and Cornell.


Class 1A state wrestling final results --------------------------------------

At Utah Valley University

106 — Jonah Schoppe, Panguitch, d. Colby Harper, Duchesne, 6-1.

113 — David Vantassell, Duchesne, d. Stetson Wright, Milford, 11-9.

120 — Hunter Thacker, Altamont, d. Zackary Julander, Panguitch, 10-7.

126 — Danny Thompson, Altamont, d. Kolton Owens, Panguitch, inj. def.

132 — Zac Musselman, Monticello, d. Matthew Taylor, Duchesne, 6-2.

138 — Mckay Foy, Altamont, p. Austin Trapp, Piute, 4:32.

145 — Stockton Moat, Duchesne, d. Shandon Bradford, Monticello, 4-3.

152 — Steven Skewes, Duchesne, p. Paul Deanda, Monticello, 1:59.

160 — Wyatt Jessen, Altamont, p. Kellen Mooney, Panguitch, 4:36.

170 — Gatlin Thompson, Duchesne, d. Tyler Bagy, Panguitch, 11-5.

182 — Shaydon Sumarell, Duchesne, d. Trae Williamson, Milford, 4-2.

195 — Kelton Cropper, Panguitch, d. Cody Miles, Altamont, 11-6.

220 — Tava'e Pei, Wayne, p. Aaron Verduzco, Duchesne, 2:43.

285 — Parker Knudsen, Monticello, p. Morgan Smith, Duchesne, 1:32.

Most Outstanding Wrestlers: Mckay Foy, Altamont; Tava'e Pei, Wayne.

Team scores: Duchesne 199; Altamont 195.5; Panguitch 134; Monticello 123.5; Wayne, 79.

Class 2A state wrestling final results --------------------------------------

At Utah Valley University

106 — Dillon Torgerson, N. Sevier, p. J. Gill Rogers, Gunnison, 1:23.

113 — Brady Poulsen, Delta, d. Gage Mason, N. Sevier, 8-7 (OT).

120 — Jaxon Cole, N. Summit, d. Caleb Rasmussen, Millard, 17-4.

126 — Matt Lee, S. Summit, p. Adrian Villa, Millard, 1:29.

132 — Kyle Evans, Beaver, d. Shawn Michael Sorensen, N. Sevier,11-4.

138 — Kaleb Kelly, Millard, d. Braxton Maxwell, N. Sevier, 6-4.

145 — Taten Ringel, N. Summit, p. Kevin Mora, S. Summit, 2:18.

152 — Payton Stott, Millard, d. Jason Hatch, Delta, 6-4 (OT).

160 — Tanner Shields, Delta, d. Ashton Dieli, Emery, 4-2.

170 — Broughton Flygare, S. Summit, p. Christian Neuenschwander, S. Summit, 4:56.

182 — Randin Pentz, N. Summit, p. Mac Paterson, N. Sevier, 5:07.

195 — Mckade Cox, Gunnison, d. Jared Blazzard, S. Summit, 15-0.

220 — Austin Richin, N. Summit, d. Jantsen Manis, Delta, 8-6 (OT).

285 — Brett Walker, Delta, d. Bridger Bagley, S. Sevier, 4-1.

Most Outstanding Wrestlers: Jaxon Cole, North Summit; Randin Pentz, North Summit.

Team scores: South Summit 247; Delta 226.5; Millard 222.5; North Summit 198.5; North Sevier 197.5.

Class 3A state wrestling final results --------------------------------------

At Utah Valley University

106 — Gentry Warner, Juab, d. Jate Frost, Union, 6-1.

113 — Randal Donn, Pine View, d. Brady Knight, Tooele, 10-7.

120 — Kody Hafen, Snow Canyon, d. Jayce Lind, Juab, 6-4.

126 — Holden Richards, Bear River, d. Carlitos Nava, Morgan, 5-4.

132 — Raynger Keckler, Logan, d. Antonio Nava, Morgan, 11-3.

138 — Cooper Skinner, Bear River, d. Gatlin Peterson, N. Sanpete, 7-1.

145 — Kaygen Canfield, Bear River, p. Mason Mangelson, Juab, 3:10.

152 — Liam Williams, Desert Hills, d. Brady Jones, Desert Hills, 15-0.

160 — Joey Aagard, Juab, d. Eric Gourde, Canyon View, 11-5.

170 — Owen Pentz, Morgan, p. Brier Bryan, Juab, 4:56.

182 — Ashton Seely, Juab, d. Jackson Gavin, Tooele, 8-2.

195 — Chase Trussell, Morgan, d. Jordan Watson, Bear River, 12-5.

220 — Wyatt Ekblad, Morgan, p. Nathan Heppler, Bear River, 1:12.

285 — Josh Madsen, Bear River, p. Bundy Sewell, Desert Hills, 7:01 (OT).

Most Outstanding Wrestlers: Holden Richards, Bear River; Owen Pentz, Morgan.

Team scores: Bear River 231.5; Juab 198; Morgan 149; Desert Hills 140; Cedar City 115; Tooele 115.

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