Top of Utah wrestling squads made impressive splashes at the first weekend of invitationals around the west.
Box Elder won the Layton High Invitational, with host Layton second, Viewmont third and Fremont fourth.
But that wasn’t all.
Clearfield was the only area team to travel to the Sky Hawk Showdown at Salem Hills. But the Falcons rolled up a bunch of top four finishes to claim the team title.
Clearfield’s Christian Kodele (113 pounds) and Kolton Burgess (170) won their divisions, while Logan Swallow (106) and Zeth Porter (126) finished second, while Cameron Thiel (120) finished third.
At the Syracuse Scuffle, host Syracuse went 9-0 in the duals competition.
Titans Zane Rich and Seth Rich had seven and six pins, respectively, while Teague Vigil, Brock George, Kyler Aullman and Brantley McGuire had five pins apiece.
Finally, the Evanston (Wyo.) Invitational drew a bunch of elite teams, with Bear River finishing second to powerful Cheyenne (Wyo.)East. Star Valley (Wyo.) was third, with Weber fifth and Morgan 10th.
Among individuals, the Bears’ Dominic Kinder was third at 126 pounds, while four teammates — Nickolas Bingham (113), Chad Hornberger (182), Tanner Christensen (145) and Tanner VanValkenberg (132) finishing fourth.
Weber got a pair of thirds from Tanner Marriott (145) and Jared Tracy (200), while Stanton Wiser (120) and Hunter Riggs (160) were both fourth.
The Royals Duals are this weekend at Roy High, along with the Juab Winter Classic.
Golf All-Staters
The Utah High School All-State Golf Team, selected by the Utah Section PGA, was recently released.
The 5-A squad includes Fremont’s Alex Herzog and Dylan Chugg on the first team, and Viewmont’s Kelton Kirsch, Davis’ Jake Godfrey, Syracuse’s Josh Martinez, and Viewmont’s Boston Watts on the second team. Weber’s Hunter Machovsky, Davis’ Greg Taylor and Dane Nelson, Syracuse’s Cameron Speyer and Weber’s Braden Whiteley snagged honorable mention.
The 4-A squad included Woods Cross’ Payton Hastings, Logan’s Justin Kim, Sky View’s Riley Archibald and Bonneville’s Nick Smith and Carson Park on the first team, Roy’s Ryder Velasquez, Bonneville’s Hayden Gallegos and Woods Cross’ Kyle Beard on the second team, and Bonneville’s Luke Stimpson and Roy’s Trevor Kennedy on honorable mention.
The 3-A squad included Bear River’s Bridger Layton on the second team, and Morgan’s Aaron Babbitt and Ogden’s Spencer Smith on honorable mention.
Dixie inks nine
First-year Dixie State College baseball coach Chris Pfatenhauer has signed nine players to national letters of intent. Dixie State’s recruiting class features a mix of high school and junior college signees.
Dixie State finished second in the Pacific West Conference last year and made its first NCAA West Regional final appearance in program history.
The signees included former Bonneville High standout Evan Parker. Parker, a 6-foot-2, 215-pound pitcher, spent the past season at Western Nevada College, helping WNC to a 48-17 record, a Regional Championship and an NJCAA World Series appearance.
Also, catcher Trevor Goldberg (Colorado Springs, Colo.), pitcher Tanner Howell (Boulder City, Nev.), outfielder Blake Phebus (Spokane, Wash.), shortstop Cain Brady (Henderson, Nev.), pitcher Will Morris (Las Vegas, Nev./CSI), pitcher Bronson Anderson (Lehi/Salt Lake Community College), and infielder
Tanner Morache (Surrey, B.C./CSI), and outfielder Miles Bice (Las Vegas, Nev.).
Gatorade honor
Jordan High’s Austin Kafentzis was named the Gatorade Utah football player of the year for 2012.
Kafentzis led the Beetdiggers to the state 5-A title with a win over Syracuse.
Kafentzis, a sophomore, is eligible for the national Gatorade award.
Coaches reminder
Winter sports coaches are encouraged to repor their results of their varsity games by calling 801-625-4261 or 801-625-4264, or email the information to prepsports@standard.net.
To contribute to Prep Insider Notes, call 801-625-4261 or send information to prepsports@standard.net.
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