BEAR RIVER HIGH - By Mark Hirschi - December 9, 2021
The Lady Bears’ wrestling team from Bear River High represented well in their first big tournament of the season, the F.I.G.H.T at Farmington High, December 3-4.
Earlier in the week the Bears hosted their annual Red and White match on December 1 (find photo coverage below) then traveled to Fremont High on December 2, defeating the Silverwolves 108-38 combining both junior varsity and varsity team scores.
They finished in second place with 173 points behind Region 11 rivals Mountain Crest High with 266 points. The Bears were 34 points clear of the tournament’s third place team. There were 29 teams at the tournament, with a majority from larger 5A and 6A schools, showing that the Lady Bears are near the top of girls wrestling in Utah.
At the F.I.G.H.T tournament, the Bears put three wrestlers in the finals crowning two champions in sophomore Bella Gunderson (120) and junior Josie Redman (140) both pinned their opponents (both coincidentally from Mountain Crest) in the finals.
Junior Hailey Branch (130) came up a little short with a strong second place overall finish and going 4-1 overall. Also coming out with a second-place finish was junior Sadie Hardy (100). Hardy wrestled six matches in her pod and had only one loss. Bear River High senior co-captain Sophie Miller (120) lost in a close overtime match sending her to the consolation bracket where she closed out finishing third overall in her weight division.
The following Lady Bears were also able to find a spot on the podium at the F.I.G.H.T tournament:
5th place – Bretlee Potter (190)
6th place – Kate Bunce (115)
7th place – Rachel Epling (115)
7th place – Makynlie Nelson (125)
8th place – Sky Thompsen (110)
8th place – Avery Cazzell (135)
8th place – Sydnee Nielson (190)
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Following up the weekend tournament, the Bears traveled to Layton High School on Tuesday, December 7, for a tri-meet Layton High and American Leadership Academy, coming away with two team wins.
The Bears defeated Layton High 42-18 with pins by Addison Call, Bella Gunderson and Haylee “Bob” Farnsworth. Many others were able to secure six points for the team as they were unopposed.
The Lady Bears also toppled American Leadership Academy 39-24 with pins from Sadie Hardy, Sophie Miller, Avery Cazzell, Josie Redman and Crislyn Potter. Also earning a win that night by a 10-5 decision was junior Bretlee Potter.
Next up for the Bear River High girls’ wrestling team they will join the Bear River High boys’ wrestling team on Thursday, December 9, as they host a dual against Davis High. Junior varsity matches begin at 5:30 p.m. and varsity is set for 7 p.m.
On Saturday, December 11, the Lady Bears will host a home tournament starting a 9 a.m. in the Bear River High gym.
Photos of the Red and White match from December 1, are provided by John Fronk
