Wrestling sends 13 to state: Christiansen takes title

By GARY ARRINGTON Sports Writer

McKoy Christiansen was the lone Emery Spartan wrestler that came away from the 2-A Wrestling Divisionals last weekend in Richfield as the divisional champion and will now be one of the favorites to win a state championship this weekend at Utah Valley University. Christiansen defeated Paden Woolstenhulme from South Summit High 2-0 in a very intense battle in the 120 pound weight and won the Divisional B championship. Christiansen has a 40-5 season record.
Matt Mecham finished second in the 170 pound weight class as he lost to Kaden Masner from Millard High School. McKoy and Matt will lead an Emery wrestling contingency of 13 wrestlers participating in this year’s 2-A Utah State Wrestling tournament that will start Friday afternoon at 1 p.m. for the 2-A bracket. Sessions will also be held on Friday at 4:30 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.
Ashton Dieli at 145 pounds and Zachary World at 106 pounds finished third in their division as they narrowly missed the championship round. Steven Brown at 113 pounds and Lakota Clark at 195 pounds finished fourth. Ty Mecham finished fifth at 220 pounds.
Also making it to the state tournament this season are Nathan Urie at 132 pounds, Justin Jennings at 126 pounds, Don Winter at 138 pounds, Cameron Peterson at 145 pounds, Delan Funk at 152 pounds and Chase Jewkes at 195 pounds.
All teams were able to enter two wrestlers in each weight division in the Richfield tournament and that is why you will see some Spartan wrestlers in the same weight.
Emery finished in fourth place in 2A Divisional B with Millard High winning the division. South Summit was second and Beaver was third. Emery was followed by Gunnison, Enterprise, San Juan, ALA and Layton Christian. Millard won nine of the 14 individual titles and will have 25 wrestlers at UVU this week.
Delta won 2A Divisional A and was followed by North Sevier, North Summit, South Sevier, Manti, Grand, Parowan, Summit Academy and Kanab. Delta won six individual titles and will send two wrestlers in each weight bracket to the tournament. Millard and Delta are the favorites for the team title just by sheer numbers alone and both have won numerous titles over the years.