Emery wrestling nearing season end

By GARY ARRINGTON Sports writer

By GARY ARRINGTON, Sports Writer
The 2010-11 wrestling season is quickly coming to an end for the Emery High Spartan wrestling team. With the super-regionals only two and half weeks away, the Spartan team is down to two non-region matches, a region match against Juab and a tournament to hone their skills for the said regional tournament.
During the past couple of weeks, Emery has traveled to South Sevier for a dual match, participated in the Tournament of Champions at Uintah High and hosted Manti in a region match.
At the Uintah tournament, 40 high school teams from small to really big, from throughout the western United States participated in this meet and the Emery team finished 23rd. Spencer Fehlberg finished fifth in the 119 pound weight class and Nathan Mecham finished sixth in the 171 pound weight class. Clay Collard, wrestling at 152 pounds, made it to the semifinals in that weight class but was disqualified in that match. That disqualification kept him from placing in the tournament and gave him his first loss of the season.
Earlier against South Sevier, Emery came away with a road victory over a good 2-A team. The victory was by one point. Coach Doug Mecham had this to say, “Our boys fought hard and put everything into each match. I am proud of what the team accomplished tonight as it truly was a team win.”
Winning for Emery in this dual were Wyatt Oveson, Cezly Collard, Spencer Fehlberg, Tice Guymon, Clay Collard, Chet Funk and Nathan Mecham. All wrestlers won by pin except Cezly and Funk. Kennedee Byington and Brett Sorenson each lost their matches but both wrestled very hard and lost by decision against good, ranked wrestlers on the South Sevier team. Sorenson was wrestling out of weight class and gave up 15 pounds to his opponent, which is a big advantage for the heavier wrestler.
Emery lost the region meet to Manti, a team they had defeated earlier in the season. Every match was ended by pin for the two teams with the exception of 152 pounds, which was a forfeit as Clay Collard served a one-match suspension. Clay wrestled his would-be opponent in an exhibition match and pinned his opponent quickly in the first round.
Winning their matches were Cezly Collard at 112 pounds, Spencer Fehlberg at 119 pounds, Chet Funk at 160 pounds and Nathan Mecham at 171 pounds.
In further action, Emery soundly defeated American Leadership Academy in a dual meet at Castle Dale and then the Spartan team traveled to St. George and participated in the Pineview Tournament.
At the Pineview tournament there were 32 high school teams and the Emery team finished 12th. The best finish was by Clay Collard, with Collard finishing second with only his second loss of the year.
Spencer Fehlberg finished fourth, Chet Funk and Wyatt Oveson finished fifth and Cezly Collard finished seventh.
Against ALA, Emery’s Oveson at 103 pounds and Funk at 160 pounds along with George Sorenson at 189 pounds won by forfeit.
Cezly Collard at 112 pounds, Spencer Fehlberg at 119 pounds, Dillon Walls at 125 pounds, Nagel Vieira at 135 pounds, Cole Guymon at 140 pounds, Clay Collard at 152 pounds and Nathan Mecham at 171 pounds all won by pinning their opponent.
Emery won the match 60-23.
This week, Emery will host Juab in the final home match of the season and will honor the seniors on the team along with the two Emery wrestlers that were named Academic All-State, Nathan Mecham and Spencer Fehlberg.