It was a long week for the Dragon wrestling team as they pushed through four days of back to back wrestling.  Across the six dual matchups and two day tournament, the MHS team and individual wrestlers gained big wins.  The most notable feat of it all was the undefeated record the varsity team accomplished, claiming the WIN in every dual contest as well as the weekend closing tournament.

The busy week began in Aberdeen on Wednesday, January 28 as Malad matched up in dual meets against the hosting team and the Declo Hornets.  Taking the mats first against the Hornets, the MHS team went 66-21.  In an even more dominating fashion, Malad held Aberdeen to just 12 points in their next dual while they tallied 75 points of their own.

Thursday, the team traveled to West Side High School to compete in the 3A 5th district duals.  There they went head to head against teams in the district, sweeping the contest as they defeated Grace (75-10), Soda Springs (70-12), West Side (74-9), and North Gem (84-6).

The highlight of the week came at the Battle for the Buckle wrestling tournament held Friday and Saturday at Sugar Salem High School. Out of 16 competing teams, Malad scored an impressive 333.5 points—127.5 points ahead of the second-place team—and produced 20 individual medalists, including 6 champions.

At 113lbs, senior Jack Willie went undefeated through the championship round, going 14-0 in points against his opponents.  Riggin Montgomery, wrestling at 126lbs, defeated wrestlers from Sugar/Salem, Idaho Falls, Teton, and Blackfoot to claim the number one spot.  Parker Price ended on top, literally, in the 150lb bracket, trading takedowns and escapes in his championship match to win by points, 11-5.  Allowing only 4 points in contrast to his 30, Drake Morrison dominated the 157lb bracket.  Rounding out the gold medal finishers, Oakley Maddox went 3-0, his opponents including the #6 ranked wrestlers from Butte County, Teagan Babcock.

The Lady Dragons as the 25/26 3A 5th District Dual champions.

 The Lady Dragons had an equally successful week on the mats as they too competed in the district duals and a weekend tournament.  Thursday, the MHS girls wrestling team swept their district opponents in a dominating fashion.  They started the meet by going undefeated against all West Side wrestlers (43-0).  They finished the meet defeating Soda Springs (36-11) and Grace (42-23) to claim the District Duals champion titles.

Malad competed over the weekend at Burley High School’s Mountain invitational tournament where the Lady Dragons had a solid overall showing across the weights.  The two day tournament was highlighted by two podium finishes and several bonus-point wins. 

Aubrey Shulz led the way in the 140lb bracket to a third-place finish and 22 team points, while Bella Smith powered her way to second place at 235lbs, scoring 24 points with multiple falls on her run to the finals. 

Several others made deep consolation runs and added valuable points, including Kenadee Howe (10 points at 135), Katy Carter and Harlee Maddox (8 points each at 120 and 125), Somerli Nalder (6 at 115), Jenetta Jacaway (6.5 at 155), and Katie Palmer (4 at 105). Across the lineup, Malad consistently scored through pins and techs, showing depth, toughness, and the ability to battle back after early losses.

After so many meets and tournaments away, the Dragon wrestling teams will return home for their senior night and Cal Willie Memorial duals on Wednesday, February 4.  The MHS girls wrestling team will also compete in the upcoming Kimberly tournament held Saturday, February 7. 

Aberdeen Duals

Malad 66 Declo 21

Malad 75 Aberdeen 12

District Duels in West Side

Malad 75 Grace 10

Malad 70 Soda Springs 12

Malad 74 West Side 9

Malad 84 North Gem 6

Individual Medalists

1st Place

113lbs Jack Willie 

126lbs Riggin Montgomery 

150lbs Parker Price 

157lbs Drake Morrison

175lbs Oakley Maddox 

215lbs Cam Bingham  

2nd Place

98lbs Kallen Price 

120lbs Ayden Potter 

132lbs Wade Clark  

165lbs Chase Martin 

3rd Place

132lbs Dutch Potter  

190lbs Rydon Montgomery 

4th Place

113lbs Jaxon Mills 

144lbs Cruz Carter

HWT Trevor Allen 

5th Place

98lbs Brecken Price

138lbs Porter Mills 

175lbs Bronson Smith 

6th Place

144lbs Jace Nalder 

190lbs Leif Allen  

Second-Chance
tournament placers

1st Place

150lbs Jaxton Price

3rd Place

215lbs Cam Seamons

4th Place

138lbs Zac Reiss 4th