BEAR RIVER HIGH – By Mark Hirschi, Headliner Sports Writer, January 30, 2022
The Bear River High girls’ wrestling team defeated Maple Mountain High (Spanish Fork) 114-24 on a night full of emotion.
The Bears honored their graduating seniors that have been an integral part in building one of the top high school girls’ wrestling programs in Utah. An accomplishment they helped contribute to after the Utah High School Activities Association officially sanction girls’ wrestling a high school sport starting in 2021.
Seniors Shanna Archuleta, Hailey Branch, Haylee Farnsworth, Sophie Miller and Lillie Peterson were all honored along with their parents on Wednesday night at Bear River High. The common theme of the night from the biographies read to the audience that night was how much they loved being around the teams and how much they enjoyed the bus rides. The other large element was how much wrestling has taught them and some are even considering taken wrestling to the next level to see what they can do in college.
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The Bear River High girls’ wrestling team also held their final fundraiser raffle drawing that night and Coach Jason Bingham thanked the community for their support that helped make the girls’ wrestling program grow to where it is today in two short years.
Competing on the wrestling mat that night, Sky Thompson (105), Sophie Miller (120), Hailey Branch (135), Josie Redman (140), Rhees Hatch (145), Shanna Archuleta (235) and Samara Ward (115) were all able to get the win by fall. Sadie Hardy (100), Makynlie Nelson (125), Addy Doutre (130) and Eve Allsop (155) all gained the Lady Bears six points each as they won by forfeit.
Up next for the Bear River High girls’ wrestling team they will turn their attention to the UHSAA’s 4A girls’ wrestling Division B championship tournament February 11-12, at Ridgeline High School.
Bear River High will compete against five other 4A high schools (Cedar City High, Dixie High, Ridgeline High, Sky View High and Snow Canyon High) during the two-day tournament.
That same weekend Division A schools (Crimson Cliffs High, Deseret Hills High, Green Canyon High, Hurricane High, Logan High, Mountain Crest High and Pineview High) will compete at Mountain Crest High.
The top eight wrestlers from each weight class, in both Division A and Division B, will qualify to compete at the 4A state girls’ wrestling championship tournament February 18-19, in Richfield at the Sevier Valley Center.
Photos by Lexi Capener (Bear River High yearbook staff) and John Hurley
