Monument Valley and Whitehorse wrestlers battle hard at state
by Anna Fredericks
Contributing Writer
The Monument Valley and Whitehorse high school wrestling teams competed at the state tournament at the Sevier Valley Center in Richfield this past Friday and Saturday, February 7-8.
Leading the way for the Lady Cougars was Summer Atene who finished third at 110 pounds. Atene lost in her semifinal match but came back strong to defeat her next two opponents by fall in the first period and earn her way to the medals podium.
Two wrestlers competed at 170 pounds for the MVHS girls: Nozhoni Sloan and Aiyana Parker. Sloan won her first-round match by fall but was defeated in the quarterfinal round.
She came back strong to win two matches by fall, but a loss in the consolation semifinals left her one win short of a medal.
Parker earned a first period win by fall in the quarterfinal round and was also one win away from a medal.
At 120 pounds, Nay’myia Morgan earned a first-round win by first period fall but suffered a loss in the quarterfinal round. She put another win by fall on the board in the first consolation round but was defeated in her next match.
Also competing for the Lady Cougars were Keturah Whitehorse at 120 pounds and Alisha Sloan at 155 pounds.
In the boys tournament, Monument Valley’s Talon Brooks competed at 157 pounds and despite his best efforts was defeated in two rounds.
Three Whitehorse Raiders competed in the boys tournament and came close but were unable to bring home any hardware.
Lance Tsinigine earned a win in the 138-pound quarterfinals by technical fall 18-2. He was tied 5-5 late in the third period of his semifinal match before being thrown in the final few seconds by the eventual state champion.
Hunter Tsiniginie won in the first consolation round at 144 pounds with an 18-7 major decision win. Both Raiders were just one win short of a medal. Also competing for the Raiders was Sanford Begay at 190 pounds.
In the girls tournament Rayauna Lee earned a first-period win by fall in the consolation rounds at 100 pounds. Megan Collins competed for the Lady Raiders at 190 pounds.