Boys

Now in the heart of their season, competing often and in fierce contests, the Dragon wrestlers once again found success at the Richardson Memorial tournament. The two-day tournament, hosted by Box Elder High School in Brigham City on January 9 and 10, featured wrestlers from 30 different teams across Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming, creating an intense and highly competitive environment.

Having wrestled at the tournament before, the MHS team was prepared for every match to be a dogfight, understanding that each challenge would contribute to their growth and skill development. The wrestlers demonstrated resilience and determination, adapting quickly to the strategies of opponents from a variety of schools and weight classes.

As the various brackets played out, four Dragon athletes reached the medal rounds, showcasing both talent and perseverance. Oakley Maddox fought his way to the finals of the 175lb bracket, where he dominated his Box Elder opponent to secure a victory by tech fall, 15-0. Maddox’s win is particularly noteworthy as he becomes only the second Malad wrestler to ever claim first place in this prestigious tournament, marking a significant milestone in the school’s wrestling history.

 Seniors Cam Bingham and Rydon Montgomery also delivered outstanding performances in their individual brackets, capturing fourth and fifth place medals respectively. Their consistent effort and tactical approach exemplified the level of experience and maturity that upperclassmen bring to the team. Freshman Riggin Montgomery made a strong impression by earning a medal in his first tournament appearance in the 126lb division, signaling great promise for the future of the program.

In addition to these individual accomplishments, the tournament served as an important benchmark for the Dragon wrestling program, allowing athletes to measure their progress against some of the best competition in the region. The experience gained in such a rigorous setting provides valuable lessons in endurance, strategy, and sportsmanship that will benefit the team as the season continues.

Individual Results:

Oakley Maddox 175lb - 1st Place

Riggin Montgomery 126lb - 4th Place

Cam Bingham 215lb - 4th Place

Rydon Montgomery 190lb - 5th Place

The MHS team has a full schedule on the horizon, beginning with a dual meet in Marsh Valley on Thursday, January 15 against the host team, American Falls, and Teton.  Over the weekend the Dragons will travel to Aberdeen to compete in their annual tournament.

Girls

The Lady Dragon wrestling team turned in a strong performance at a tournament held Saturday, Jan. 10, at Bear Lake, with multiple wrestlers earning podium finishes at both the varsity and junior varsity levels.  23 teams competed in the tournament, one of the largest Malad has competed at this season.  Overall, Malad took a 7th place finish behind a number of experienced programs and talented wrestlers.

At the varsity level, the Lady Dragons were led by Cale Carter and Bella Smith, who each finished second in their respective weight classes. Brayle Price added a third-place finish, while Aubrey Shulz placed fifth, giving Malad four varsity placers in the tournament.

The JV lineup also saw notable success, highlighted by a championship performance from Sunni Barnes. Somerlie Nalder and Katy Carter both placed second, while Katie Palmer and Harlee Moddox each earned third-place finishes.

The MHS coaching staff commented that the team showed significant improvement throughout the weekend, with wrestlers continuing to build confidence and consistency as the season progresses.

The combination of varsity accomplishments and strong JV is a strong demonstration that Malad isn’t only working on a productive season, but more importantly, building a program that will find success for years to come.  With several athletes reaching the podium and others gaining valuable mat time, the tournament marked another positive step forward for the Malad girls wrestling program as it moves deeper into the season.

Individual Results

Varsity:

Cale Carter 2nd

Bella Smith 2nd

Brayle Price 3rd

Aubrey Shulz 5th

JV:

Sunni Barnes 1st

Somerli Nalder 2nd

Katy Carter 2nd

Katie Palmer 3rd

Harlee Maddox 3rd

The Lady Dragon wrestlers will next compete in the two date 2026 Tiger Grizz Girls Invitational tournament beginning Friday, January 16 in Idaho Falls held at Skyline High School.