Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
OREM — At first, David Van Tassell was confused.
The Duchesne 120-pound wrestler had just finished what appeared to be a 1-0 win in the Class 1A state championship final. But after a brief consultation between the two managing officials, the center referee raised the arm of his opponent, Altamont’s Dean Thompson.
Let’s try that one again.
Van Tassell’s hand was raised last, signifying his fourth-straight state championship and the first for the Eagles at the 2017 1A state wrestling tournament Saturday at Utah Valley University.
Altamont held on for the 1A team title.
“It’s everything I worked for, my dream ever since I could walk,” Van Tassell said. “I’ve been wrestling since first grade, and thinking of this moment.
“It’s a great feeling.”
Van Tassell needed just two moves to earn the lone point of the match, and then a whole lot of defense. After a scoreless opening period, the Eagles grappler selected the down position for the second period. He hit a standing switch to open the round — his favorite move — but Thompson held him down.
106 — Jonah Schoppe, Panguitch, d. Karson Wunderlich, Milford, 9-2
113 — Colby Harper, Duchesne, d. Kaden Beckstead, Panguitch, 14-8
120 — David Van Tassell, Duchesne, d. Dean Thompson, Altamont, 1-0
126 — Kolton Owens, Panguitch, p. Stetson Wright, Milford, 5:23
132 — Shandon Bradford, Monticello, d. Jessen Mckinnon, Altamont, 4-0
138 — Zach Musselman, Monticello, d. Danny Thompson, Altamont, 4-2
145 — Mckay Foy, Altamont, d. Matthew Taylor, Duchesne, 6-3
152 — Stockton Moat, Duchesne, d. Brayson Wilcox, Monticello, 6-3
160 — Wyatt Jessen, Altamont, d. Steven Skewes, Duchesne, 19-14
170 — Kellen Mooney, Panguitch, d. Reagan Hunt, Parowan, 13-4
182 — Gatlin Thompson, Duchesne, d. Domanik Stansfield, Altamont, 8-2
195 — Cody Miles, Altamont, p. Wyatt Weston, Rich, 0:40
220 — Kelton Cropper, Panguitch, p. Brandon Jones, Bryce Valley, 2:58
285 — Aaron Verduzco, Duchesne, p. Parker Knudsen, Monticello, 3:36
That left the Longhorns’ sophomore out of position, and Van Tassell grasped around before sliding out and earning one point for an escape — the only point he needed.
“I just went in and had a plan to use my single-leg shot. I didn’t quite get it, but it gave me enough time to pull out the win through the last 30 seconds,” said Van Tassell, who had knee surgery midway through the season but returned three weeks later.
In the third period, Thompson nearly did the same thing. But Van Tassell held on, then waited after a brief consultation and a stall warning, before his arm was raised for the fourth and final time in high school.
Altamont sophomore Mckay Foy won his second state title with a 6-3 win over Duchesne’s Matthew Taylor at 145 pounds to lead the Longhorns to the 1A team title. Altamont had a 19.5 lead over Duchesne going into the championship finals and held off Duchesne 198.5 to 187 and held off the Eagles 198.5 to 187.
Wyatt Jessen (160) and Cody Miles (195) each added an individual title for Altamont, and Thompson (120), Jessen Mckinnon (132), Danny Thompson (138) and Domanik Stansfield (182) claimed runner-up finishes for the Longhorns.
Monticello finished third with 171.5 points, followed by Panguitch (117.5) and Wayne 67.
CLASS 2A
Brady Poulsen (120), Jason Hatch (160), Dallin Ewart (170) and Jantsen Manis (220) each won an individual state title to help Delta roll to the 2A state championship with 283 points.
North Summit finished second with 205 points, followed by North Sevier (200), Millard (180) and South Summit (163.5).
North Summit’s Jaxon Cole pinned Millard’s Slade Sheriff in just 37 seconds in the 126-pound final to cap his fourth state championship.
For complete results, visit trackwrestling.com.
106 — Van Bray, Millard, d. Cody Stubbs, Kanab, 9-1
113 — Dillon Torgerson, No. Sevier, p. Tayte Staples, No. Summit, 3:40
120 — Brady Poulsen, Delta, d. Gage Mason, No. Sevier, 6-2
126 — Jaxon Cole, No. Summit, p. Slade Sheriff, Millard, 0:37
132 — Shawn Sorensen, No. Sevier, d. Chayton Jacobson, Gunnison, 2-0
138 — Payton Knight, So. Sevier, d. Dyllin Broughton, Delta, 9-5
145 — Jace Anderson, No. Summit, d. Kaleb Kelly, Millard, 6-4
152 — Taten Ringel, No. Summit, p. Bowen Shields, Delta, 3:58
160 — Jason Hatch, Delta, d. Newt Oveson, Emery, 5-2
170 — Dallin Ewart, Delta, d. Troy Jones, Millard, 12-5
182 — Tyce Raddon, Beaver, d. Noah Porter, No. Sevier, 6-3
195 — Broughton Flygare, So. Summit, d. Mac Peterson, No. Sevier, 7-3
220 — Jantsen Manis, Delta, d. Randin Pentz, No. Summit, 10-5
285 — Bradden Davis, Delta, p. Ty Mecham, Emery, 5:03
