San Juan wrestlers tie for third at state tournament, led by another championship run for Callen Burke

The San Juan Broncos tied the North Sevier Wolves for third place at the 2A state tournament in the final match of the night. With nine medal earaners the effort by San Juan was recognized by fellow coaches as Shane Mussleman was awarded the 2A coach of the year at the end of the evening.
San Juan’s third-place finish was earned in the final match of the tournament when senior heavyweight Callen Burke finished his season with a thrilling overtime victory to finish the season 39-0 with a second straight title.
Burke earned his title by recording three pins to make his way to the final match. In the title match, Burke faced Clayton Duckworth a senior from North Sevier. After a scoreless first period Burke escaped from the bottom position to take a 1-0 lead, Duckworth tied the match in the third period with an escape point of his own Burke nearly secured a single-leg takedown as the time expired sending the match to overtime.
In the sudden-victory overtime, Burke was once again the aggressor attempting a lateral drop throw. Duckworth countered well nearly holding Burke on his back for just a blink of an eye, but Burke was able to quickly slip his head out and get around Duckworth to earn the two-point takedown and the dramatic victory.
Burke earned his second straight state title for the Broncos and led the team earning 28 of the teams 148.5 points.
San Juan was also represented in the final round by sophomore Chad Yellow. Yellow earned his bout in the title match at 106 lbs by winning by pin and a 2-0 decision. In the finals, Yellow faced a Millard opponent who he wrestled hard but ultimately fell to by decision 9-6.
Deklan Helquist earned a third-place medal in the tournament winning two matches by fall before losing to the weight’s eventual champion in the semi-finals. Helquist battled back earning two more wins by pin to finish 3rd.
Parker Snyder and Taydan Mark each finished fourth place at the state tournament. Snyder earned wins by fall and decision before falling in the semi-final round. Snyder fought back to earn a win by major decision before falling in the consolation final by decision.
Mark earned a wein by fall before being pinned in the quarterfinals. Mark fought back winning a match by technical fall and two by pin to earn a spot on the consolation finals but ultimately fell by decision to earn 4th place.
JD Palmer and Taylor Black finished fifth at the tournament. Palmer earned a win by fall before losing by decision in the quarter finals. Palmer battled back earning two wins by pin before losing an overtime match in the consolation semi-finals. Palmer finished the season with a win by major decision.
Black earned a win by fall and decision in the early rounds to make the semi-final. In the semi-final Black was defeated by major decision by the eventual state champion. Black lost by decision in the consolation semi-final but earned a quick pin to finish fifth at the tournament.
Rounding out medal earners were Grady Lacy and Trace Bennett. Lacy dropped a match by major decision before wrestling back earning a win by pin, losing by decision and fall to earn 6th place at the tournament.
Bennett lost his first match of the tournament by fall before wrestling back to earn a win by pin and a 6-5 decision before dropping to matches by fall to finish 6th place.
Other wrestlers earning points for the Broncos were Lynnox Ben who earned wins by fall and decision in the tournament. Nicholaas Joe and Porter Kieth each had a win by pin and Logan Kieth earned a win by Major decision.
Also wrestling hard at the state tournament were Koyer Johnson, Ryus Blackhorse, Treshon Billie, Taaren Bayles and Rigley Lagiglia.