It was a landmark week for the Malad High School wrestling program as the Dragons excelled both in the classroom and on the mats. To kick off the week, the MHS wrestling teams were recognized as back-to-back Academic State Champions. The boys posted an impressive team GPA of 3.617, while the girls topped the charts with an average of 3.758. 

Commenting on the honor, the wrestling staff said, “It is important that our wrestlers know to prioritize their grades and the work they put in the classroom. Winning academic state shows what outstanding kids we have on our team. They are great wrestlers but also great students.”

There were so many Malad wrestlers at Districts, that there were many internal matches.

 Shifting from academics to athletics, the Dragons dominated the District Wrestling Tournament in Grace on Thursday, February 19. Facing competition from Aberdeen, West Side, North Gem, Soda Springs, and Grace, Malad scored 432.5 points to claim the #1 district team title and qualified 20 of 29 wrestlers for the upcoming state tournament. The team earned eight district champions and 25 wrestlers placing in the top four of their brackets. 

Head Coach Devin Morrison shared, “This is what we have been working towards all season. Our team has traveled and competed at the top tournaments against great teams to get better and see where we need to improve as a team and individually. All of our kids have improved through the season and are ready for the tough competition they will face at the state tournament.”

Among the individual standouts, first-place winners included Kallen Price at 98 pounds, Jack Willie at 113, Ayden Potter at 120, Riggin Montgomery at 126, Parker Price at 150, Drake Morrison at 157, Chase Martin at 165, and Oakley Maddox at 175 pounds. 

Second-place finishes were earned by Brecken Price at 98 pounds, Joseph Angell at 106, Jaxon Mills at 113, Trey Clemons at 120, Porter Mills at 138, Bronson Smith at 175, Rydon Montgomery at 190, Cam Bingham at 215, and Trevor Allen in the heavyweight division. Third-place finishers included Dutch Potter at 132 pounds, Jace Nalder at 144, Jaxton Price at 150, DJ Crowther at 165, and Leif Allen at 190, while fourth-place finishes went to Wade Clark at 132 pounds, David Leckie at 157, and Cam Seamons at 215. 

Porter Mills would defeat the West Side wrestlers to advance to the finals

The Dragons are just days away from competing in the culminating state tournament held in Boise at the Idaho Center beginning Friday, February 27.  The two day tournament will crown the best wrestlers in each bracket, a standing multiple MHS wrestlers will be vying for.