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SANDY — Alta High's Gavin Godfrey overcame a serious motorcycle accident and appendicitis to help lead the Hawks to a second straight third place finish in the 5A state wrestling tournament.
The Sandy senior captured the 152-lb. weight class championship in a season even he thought he wouldn't be able to enjoy.
In February 2011, Godfrey finished fourth as a 135-lb. junior in the state finals, and he was looking forward to what he might be able to do his senior year.
But then came the accident. Riding his motorcycle in a desert race, Godfrey hit a bumpy section, was thrown off his bike and broke his back. As if that wasn't bad enough, he had to have emergency surgery on his appendix just one month later.
"I thought I wasn't going to be able to wrestle this year," he said. "I couldn't even walk for a couple months. It was a long road to recovery."
No one would have thought badly of Godfrey if he had hung up his wrestling shoes. Instead, he went to work on his wrestling skills as soon as he could work his body back into shape.
"I just wanted to do it," he said. "My uncle won state when he was in high school, and I really pushed to do the same."
He has one motor, and it is wide-open throttle. He is a fun wrestler to watch. I couldn't be more proud of him.
–Alta wrestling coach Barry Harrington
Godfrey finished the season with a 51-5 record, including both his Region 4 championship and the state title.
"He has one motor, and it is wide-open throttle," said Alta wrestling coach Barry Harrington. "He is a fun wrestler to watch. I couldn't be more proud of him."
Godfrey was one of two Alta wrestlers to bring home state titles. Matt Findley captured the title at 113 lbs. It is the second-straight state title for the sophomore from Draper.
In all 12 wrestlers made it to state for the Hawks. While most lost out in the first few matches, two others managed to place in the tournament. Sophomore Dallas Walker lost in his first match at 285 lbs. He then picked up three straight wins in the consolation bracket before losing and placing sixth.
Senior David Holt picked up an opening win at 160 lbs., then pinned Taylorsville's Daniel Pankey before losing to eventual weight champ Mack Huntsman of Weber. Holt then worked his way through the consolation bracket and pinned Pankey again for fifth place.
"We wrestled very well overall," Harrington said. "We came out of the chutes real hot the first day and were able to maintain our position during the second day."
Harrington hopes the Alta program continues to prove it can wrestle with the established programs, such as this year's champion Pleasant Grove and runner-up Viewmont.
"We have some very good wrestlers coming up through the ranks," he said. "Plus we have Findley for two more years. I am hoping we can re-load and do the same next year."
Ron Bevan is a writer for the Valley Journals newspaper organization. Additional information on this story may be found at either www.sandyjournal.com or www.draperjournal.com
