The winter sports season is coming to a close as the regular season for all sports has officially ended.  Moving into their post season tournaments, the MHS varsity wrestling team hit the mats to determine the best of the best that will compete in the State IHSAA brackets just days away.

The 3A 5th District tournament was held Wednesday, February 19 at West Side High School with teams from Malad, Aberdeen, Grace, North Gem, Soda Springs, and West Side.  The teams weren’t fighting for team and individual glory, but for a spot at the culminating state tournament.  Only the top two wrestlers in each division would automatically qualify for the tournament.  Wrestlers that placed 3rd had the possibility of qualifying based on their record for the year compared to the 3rd place finishers in the other districts. 

Throughout the full day of wrestling, the Malad athletes began to rise to the top with eleven wrestlers fighting for the individual district champion title.  When the matches were over, seven of Malad’s finest wrestlers claimed the first place stand with five earning the runner up spot.  All claiming their ticket to the state tournament.  In addition to the first and second place winners, two third place finalists qualified to wrestle at state as well.

As a team, the Dragons dominated on the scoreboard, accumulating 308.5 to win the district title.  Under the direction of Devin Morrison and Allen Edwards, the MHS wrestling team has won 12 titles over 13 years.

Not only is Malad leading the district on the mats, their team is also leading the state in the classroom.  Before competing in the district tournament, it was announced that the Malad wrestlers had won the title of Academic State Champions.   

“Our boys did a great job,” said Head Coach Devin Morrison. “This year our district only qualified the top two placers in each weight so the pressure was on to wrestle their best and secure those spots. We are taking a great team to state and are excited to see what these boys can do.”

Commenting on their hard earned academic title, he continued, “As coaches we hope to teach these boys how to be great wrestlers but also to work hard at everything they do. Making their good grades and success in the classroom a priority is what they should be doing at this point in their lives. We are proud of the work and success this team has had both on and off the mat.”

The Dragon wrestlers will have their state send off Thursday at 2:40pm.  They wrestle at the state tournament in the Holt Arena Friday and Saturday,  February 28- March 1.

District Medalists and State Qualifiers

Champions

106lbs Jack Willie

113lbs Ayden Potter

120lbs Wade Clark

150lbs Drake Morrison 

157lbs Oakley Maddox

175lbs Gabe Hooste

HWT Orrin Miller

Runner Ups

98lbs Jaxon Mills

132lbs Porter Mills

190lbs Rydon Montgomery

215lbs Cam Bingham 

3rd Place Medalists

150lbs Roper Higley

215lbs Cam Seamons

215lbs Ayden Devore placed 3rd but did not get the spot at the state tournament