OREM — In the history of Utah high school wrestling, few programs stand above Uintah.

The historically powerhouse Utes held the lead going into the championship finals of Thursday's 5A state championships at the UCCU Center, which was no surprise for the 24-time team champs — the second-most across any classification in state history to Delta's 34.

Michael Alexander knew little of that. He just knew that he wanted to win his first title, and the freshman also knew that if he did, the Utes could add a 25th trophy to the case.

Boy, did he.

Alexander cruised to a 22-second pin in the finals, and Uintah cruised to 276.5 points and the program's second consecutive title — and just the second since 1999 — in front of a largely partisan traveling crowd on the campus of Utah Valley University.

"I was excited to go wrestle, and I was excited at the result," Alexander said. "I just enjoy this sport and I love my team.

"I knew that I needed to win my match, especially because it was against Payson. I'm happy that happened."

Austin Richens added an individual title for the Utes at 190 pounds, and Brady Merkley (144), Dustin Rhoades (165) and Gage Howard (285) each placed second for their respective weight class.

"It's bittersweet," said Uintah coach Phillip Keddy, a Uintah alum and former All-American wrestler at Iowa. "Even when you win the team title, you hurt for those kids who worked their whole life, their seniors, and their done — for guys like Brady Merkley, who helped me build these last few state title teams. He was my backbone that I used as an example of how to win how to work hard, and how to wrestle. Then he loses and doesn't get his fourth.

"You hurt for those kids. You want to enjoy it, but that's how life is — and it's why it's such a beautiful sport to prepare for these young kids."

That bittersweet feeling came as two-time reigning champion Merkley lost a rare match, falling 5-1 to Woods Cross' Colton Erickson. The Wildcat senior was one of two on the night to cap an undefeated season, joining sophomore teammate Cash Henderson at 215 pounds.

"I'm really looking forward to these next couple of years," Henderson said. "Going undefeated, I really didn't plan on it. But it was awesome.

"When I won my all-star match here (at UVU), it really set it off. It got me pumped, and I knew I had a shot."

Those bittersweet feelings also made triumphs like that of Alexander, who knocked off reigning state champion Aaron Garcia of Payson in a hype-driven opening period, more special, too.

"He comes out there and just answers all the questions at once, like there was no doubt. It's pretty exciting," Keddy said. "That was his first as a freshman, and he's our next opportunity to try to get a four-timer at Uintah.

"It felt really good. This tournament was kind of rough. … We had a perfect season, and we knew this was going to be tough. It's a smaller tournament, and that made it harder. So it still feels good, and we'll get better and see how things shake out next year."

But the best part, even for Alexander, next year includes a chance to defend a title, both individually and as a team.

5A girls wrestling

New coach, same title as Maple Mountain repeats as champions

Ellie Jensen was one of three champions at the UHSAA 5A girls wrestling state championships Thursday night at the UCCU Center in Orem, along with 115-pounder Ariana McGee and 190-pounder Nya Seiuli.

"The team title means more than the individual title to me," Alexander said. "We work together, we do everything together, and I'm excited that we got that team title."

Box Elder's Bridger Ricks became the newest addition to the four-time state champion club with a 3:22 pin of Park City's Jared Miller. Ricks, who wrestled for a total of 7:46, is the 27th four-time champion in state history, according to the Utah High School Activities Association record book.

Viewmont twins Marcus and Moses Espinoza-Owens each added a state title to their resumes, with Moses defeating Wasatch's Christian Slack 12-5 at 157 pounds before Marcus toopped Uintah's Dustin Rhoades 7-1 at 165.

Wasps cruise to sixth-straight title in 3A

Channing Warner won his fourth state title with an 18-9 win at 144 pounds, and Chase Ingram (157) and Will Harmon (175) each added an individual title to help Juab cruise to the team trophy at Sevier Valley Center in Richfield.

The Wasps also had seven wrestlers place second to cement their sixth-straight title, tied for fourth-longest streak in state history.

Juab finished first with 307.5 points, followed by Morgan (213.5), South Summit (189), Emery (160) and Canyon View (123.5).

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