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Show KaydenAlplnalpistossedonhishead,however,hewentontohavehishandraisedabovehisheadforthevic-tory, KaydenAlplnalpistossedonhishead,however,hewentontohavehishandraisedabovehisheadforthevic-tory, 13-4. Time to determine the top dog, Uintah or Wasatch? It was senior night for the Uintah High Wrestling team as they prepared to wrestle their final dual of the season. Emotions were high as the senior slide show put into perspective per-spective the fact that not only would this be their last dual, but this also would be the last opportunity for the seniors to defeat Wasatch. Unfortunately, neither the proud parents, who joined their seniors on the mat pre-dual, nor the sardine packed gym could coax the Utes to victory. The Wasps for the seventh year in row defeated Uintah by the score of 43 to Uintah's 29. Coach Greg Stensgard said, "I didn't want to lose any matches this year, but if we had to lose against Wasatch, the dual was the place to do it. Region and State is where we need to win." Stensgard was disappointed that a few of Uintah's wrestlers didn't look for pins, especially especial-ly since Wasatch took every opportunity to score six. He was impressed with a few that were able to win by pin including; includ-ing; Rusty Farnsworth (289), Creedon Merkley (125), and Justin Curtis (152). The other Theseniorsposewiththeirparentsbeforethematch.LtoRtheseniors are:Kayden Abplanalp, Jared Ruppe,Zach Reynolds, Chad Meinrod, Marcos Heaton, and Chanse Rinderknecht. Ml 1 1 " if w d League player brings down the puck. winners for Uintah were, Zack Reynolds (112), who won with a 4-0 decision. Kaden Alplanalp (140) won a 13-4 major decision, and Jared Ruppe (171) also won by a major decision with a 12-4 score. "We didn't wrestle extremely extreme-ly well. In a huge match like this was, everyone needs to show up to wrestle," comment-' comment-' ed Stensgard on the wrestling of his team. Even though this match ended with a loss, Stensgard was still very pleased with the heart and determination exhibited exhib-ited by freshman Matt Sunkees (145), who faced the toughest tough-est opponent on the Wasatch lineup, against Jacob Salazar. Salazar is ranked 20th in the nation and may be a gimmie at state toward Wasatch's team score. Despite all this, Sunkees demonstrated true wrestling heart, receiving comments from Stensgard such as, "He wrestled every minute. He gave everything he had and left it all on the mat. I can live and die with that. I have never seen Jake Salazar that tired in a long time." Stensgard believes he has never wrestled a freshman hp mi quite like Sunkees, a freshman that refused to give up against a much higher acclaimed wrestler. Stensgard added, "Sunkees is gonna be a great one someday if he keeps it up." So, not all is lost for the Utes, although they have lost this battle, the war still rages on. Wasatch will be picked to win region and state, but Uintah has nothing to lose. Stensgard told his team before the Wasatch dual, "We have nothing to lose and everything to gain." The statement is true but Stensgard along with every fan in the gym recognized that the Uintah team wrestled like the opposite were true. Stensgard stated, "I think, as far as coaches go, I'm the only one that has. picked us to win state. I have that desire but the team needs that desire for us to take state." Continued Stensgard, "If Wasatch wins state nobody will be surprised, but if someone else wins, it will shock the entire wrestling community." "We'll work hard this week, but we can only be as prepared as the kids want to be," commented Stensgard. He is, of course referring to the team work ethic. It is time for Uintah's wrestlers to give themselves a gut check. Even great coaches, like Stensgard, can only do so much from there the wrestler has to take it beyond. If Uintah is able to find it within themselves, then maybe the future holds some shocking results. S , Wednesday, January 31, 2007 C1 :: ipir1 I Zach Reynolds (top) attempts to cradle his opponent. He won the match 4-0. Justin Curtis attempts to get the 'I '- Creedon Merkley rides his opponent, he won the match with a pin. Men and boys square off on the ice Since Oct. a group of local hockey enthusiasts have met together every Monday night to compete in a couple of action packed hockey games. Team members consist of a couple gray-haired men to a few that are 13 years old. The real age cut off is that the player must be at least 13 years old and then everyone has to pay $125 to the USA hockey organization for insurance. The league keeps no stats and doesn't allow slap shots or checking, but still everyone seems to enjoy themselves. them-selves. Brenton Stewart a bantam (13-14 yrs. old) played goalie during a recent Monday night game and says he enjoys the opportunity to play in the house league, "because it gives me a chance to play against older guys." His older brothers broth-ers also play and it is one of the few times that he gets the opportunity play against them in an organized game. Taylon Slaugh a former high school player comments, "It is fun to play against the different differ-ent age ranges, and surprisingly surprising-ly it is more of a challenge than you might think." Pipher explained that usu House league player takes a shot. takedown. He eventually won his ally they organize teams of twelve, and one cannot play for a different team (a term known as scabbing), unless he or she is a goalie. They will also use players from one game to referee refer-ee the next. Pipher mentioned, "This gives guys the opportu Young Bantam cuts hard during ( ' - - ' - ' - -; match with a pin. nity to gain exposure to refer-eeing." refer-eeing." Although, the season is almost ending, next year they will again have their house league. Pipher invites anyone interested to come and join. house league game. v--, - .y- v ".t-?-:-v : , . |