Brighton wrestling prepares for state meet

With the state championships later this month, high school wrestling teams have begun preparations for postseason. Brighton High is doing the same, and hoping its talented but inexperienced crop of wrestlers use the next few weeks to fine-tune their repertoires.

The Bengals competed in three dual meets in January, losing to West Jordan 46-27 and Jordan 41-27 and defeating Cottonwood 51-22. Additionally, returning state champion Rami Haddadin competed in a pair of tournaments, including the All-Star Dual at Utah Valley University.

Haddadin (126 pounds), Luke Davis (120) and Steve Ipsen (145) each earned pinfall victories over West Jordan opponents, while Suloway Vainuku (170) defeated his opponent 6-5 and Scott Seiter received a forfeit victory at 113 pounds. Haddadin squared his opponent’s shoulders in 2:23, while Davis pinned his opponent in 1:07 and Ipsen earned his victory in 4:28.

The Bengals received five forfeit victories in their dual meet with Cottonwood. Alex Outsen (113), Davis (120), John McAllister (132), Blake Walker (138) and Kelleck Diamond (195) each earned forfeits. Elsewhere, Vince Gygi (106) pinned his opponent in 3:51, Haddadin (126) won in 48 seconds, Andrew Ferguson (170) won his match 5-2, and Sterling Sleight (220) secured a pinfall in 2:39.

Gygi (106) needed just 55 seconds to pin his Jordan opponent, while Seiter (113) pinned his opponent in 3:27, Haddadin (126) won by pinfall in 2:38, Nick Stavrides (145) won his match 5-1, and Sleight (220) earned a forfeit victory for the Bengals.

Brighton placed 34^th overall at the Rocky Mountain Rumble. Haddadin finished second at 126 pounds to Payson’s Mitch Brown. The two battled again at the Utah Amateur Wrestling Foundation All-Star Dual Jan. 9 at Utah Valley University. Brown, representing 3A, defeated Haddadin (5A) 5-3. Team 3A won the overall meet while Team 5A placed second.

The 5A state championships will be Feb. 15-18 at UVU.