BEAR RIVER HIGH – By Cari Doutre, Headliner Publisher, February 24, 2022
The wrestling talent runs deep in the Bingham family, just ask anyone who’s followed Bear River High wrestling over the last four decades.
And the tradition continues with the newest generation of Bingham wrestlers to hit the mat at Bear River High. On February 19, freshman Daxston Bingham took home his first 4A state wrestling championship in the 106-pound weight class during the 2022 state tournament held in Richfield, Utah.
Bingham’s overall record of 28-8 this season had him ranked in the top of his weight class but that didn’t mean it was going to be an easy feat making it to the top of the podium. During Saturday’s championship match he faced Asher Farr, a sophomore from Snow Canyon High, defeating Farr, 8-7.
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Find video highlights of Bingham’s championship match, courtesy of Bear River Live, on the link below.
Last weekend’s state championship tournament didn’t end there for the Bears – or for more state champion wrestling families at Bear River High.
Senior Kayden Ward, wrestling at 113, also earned a spot in the finals taking on Carter Nelson from Mountain Crest High. After finishing first in the Division B tournament the weekend before, Ward faced the Division A champion, Nelson, for the final time this season. Nelson defeated Ward, 10-4, in the finals.
Next up for the Bears with a shot at a state championship title was senior River Smith (175) who took on Brock Guthrie from Mountain Crest High. The two seniors both placed first in their divisions the weekend before, but it was Guthrie who took home the state championship narrowly defeating Smith, 9-7, in the finals.
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Finishing their high school wrestling careers from Bear River High and earning a spot on the podium, included senior Zach Gunderson at 144. Gunderson defeated Cooper Anderson from Cedar City High finishing in 3rd place.
Senior Dustin Douglas (150) also finished his high school wrestling career with a 3rd place finish in the 2022 state tournament. Douglas defeated Brayden Jones from Snow Canyon High in their final match. Senior Kaeson Burn (190) defeated Luke Blake from Green Canyon High in his final high school wrestling match finishing in 3rd place.
In 4th place for Bear River was junior Max Miller (113), sophomore Ty Hawkes (126) and senior Carson Pond (285). Taking home 6th in state this year, and earning a spot on the podium, included junior Braegger Richards (138), freshman Vincent Fertig (150) and junior Kwade Kosoff (175).
The Bears finished 3rd overall as a team with 242.5 points. Snow Canyon High took 2nd place with 245 points and Mountain Crest High took home the state championship with 312.
Photos by Melanie Smith
