San Juan wrestling teams close regular seasons

by Art Adair
Contributing Writer
The San Juan High School boys wrestling team hosted their final dual of the season this past Wednesday, January 15 while also honoring their five senior wrestlers.
Before the action began the Broncos honored JD Palmer, Chad Yellow, Logan Keith, Rigley LaGiglia, and Taren Bayles.
After the seniors and their parents were honored on the mat action began between San Juan and their opponents from Grand County, Whitehorse, and Monument Valley.
Bronco grappler Thomas Harden got two big wins by fall over his Grand County opponents on the night. Also getting wins over the Grand opponents were Logan Keith and Staley Dandy.
Only two matches were wrestled between San Juan and Monument Valley. Rigley LaGiglia won by decision 16-10 and Taren Bayles earned a win by fall in his match.
Similarly, against Whitehorse, the Broncos only had a few matches with Miken Keith getting a win by 7-4 decision and El’Myron Begay winning his match by fall.
On Friday, January 17 San Juan headed to Salina for the North Sevier Invitational and by Saturday afternoon, the Broncos had secured a fourth-place finish out of 14 teams. San Juan finished behind Box Elder; Foothill, NV; and Delta with 138 points.
JD Palmer finished at the top of the podium with a championship at 175 pounds. Logan Keith finished second at 150 pounds, followed by Rigley LaGiglia in fourth place at 157 pounds.
Six Bronco grapplers wrestled back through the consolation bracket, many of them wrestling four to six matches to earn fifth-place wins: Liam Lacy at 106 pounds, Grady Lacy at 120 pounds, Miken Keith at 138 pounds, Cameron Adair at 150 pounds, Taren Bayles at 157 pounds, and Thomas Harden at 190 pounds.
Jace Razor earned a sixth-place finish at 150 pounds and El’Myron Begay placed seventh at 215. Other Broncos wrestling hard throughout the weekend included Koyer Johnson, Staley Dandy, Chance Laws, Trai Bass, Tyus Spotted Elk, Wyatt Keith, Gaige Palmer, Cian Mark, and Gavin Butler.
The San Juan boys are preparing for their 2A Divisional Tournament which is set for this Saturday, January 25 at Beaver High School.
The Lady Bronco wrestlers also competed in the North Sevier Invitational this past Saturday in Salina, finishing their regular season with an impressive sixth-place performance among the 19 girls teams in attendance.
San Juan concluded the tournament behind 3A Juab, 3A Canyon View, 4A Crimson Cliffs, 2A North Sevier, and 5A Foothill, NV.
Wrestlers competed in two pools of four for placement in an eight-girl bracket. The top three finishers in each weight class were awarded medals.
After the tournament three Lady Broncos stood on the podium. Kheirra Keith was the first up the steps with her third-place finish, earning wins by technical fall and fall.
Not to be outdone by her sister, Khatira Keith also earned a third-place finish, with all her wins coming by fall on her way to the podium.
The final podium placer was Morgan Kaytso who placed third with victories by major decision and fall. Saraeya Mills and Saylor Dandy both picked up fifth-place finishes in their brackets.
Placing sixth place were Lyric Williams, Inez Tsosie, Hannah Todachinnie, and Nevaeh Sampson. TyAnna George and Kadie Palmer also wrestled hard in their five matches earning valuable mat time and experience.
On Tuesday, January 21 the Lady Broncos competed in their final tri-dual of the season, too late for the San Juan Record print deadline.
The 2A Utah Girls State Wrestling Tournament is slated for Saturday, February 8 at the Sevier Valley Center in Richfield.