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CCHS wrestler repeats as state champ

Mar 28, 2022 10:23PM ● By Catherine Garrett

Corner Canyon’s Brigham Bagley won his second 6A state wrestling title, this time in the 138-lbs. division Feb. 19 at Utah Valley University. (Photo courtesy Jeff Eure)

By Catherine Garrett | [email protected]

For the second year in a row, Corner Canyon’s Brigham Bagley stood atop the podium at the 6A state wrestling championships. This season, the senior won the 138-lbs. category with an 8-6 decision over Pleasant Grove’s Koda DeAlley Feb. 19 at Utah Valley University in helping the Chargers finish fourth as a team. He was also named Outstanding Wrestler at the tournament.

“I felt like I kinda had a target on my head this year after winning it last year,” Bagley said. “It felt super good to win state this year because I had knee surgery at the beginning of the season and missed half of the season because of it, so it was good to come back and win it. It was extra hard to come back having to deal with my knee still healing and coming into a tougher weight after bumping up a few weight classes.”

Bagley, son of Robert and Trisha Bagley of Draper, began wrestling when he was 12 and bounced between that sport and football before settling in on the mat in high school.

“Wrestling has taught me that hard work pays off and you get out of it what you put in,” said the senior, who plans on studying at BYU.

Also at the 6A state tournament, defending champion Tyler Vivanco beat Fremont’s Jason Worthley to reach the finals in the 113-lbs. division where he was defeated by Geronimo Rivera of Layton. Junior Teancum Mitchell also reached the finals, at 215 lbs., by winning over Cyprus’ Skyler Armenta before losing to Damon Armenta, also of Cyprus.

Other top finishers for the Chargers were junior Gavyn Gappmayer (fourth place, 120 lbs.), senior Brad Critchfield (fourth, 215 lbs.), freshman Leimana Fager (fifth, 175 lbs.), junior Quinn Bedell (sixth, 126 lbs.) and freshman Payden Woolsey (sixth, 132 lbs.).

“I thought our wrestlers peaked at the right time and put together a great state tournament,” said head coach Jeff Eure. “We had a program-best eight placewinners and put three in the finals.”

Girls

In the first year of sanctioned girls wrestling, Corner Canyon placed eighth as a team with three wrestlers reaching the semifinals.

Sophomore Bella Morgan placed third at 145 lbs. with junior Aly Larson taking fourth at 115 lbs. and freshman Meleana Fager finishing fifth at 135 lbs.

“It was an awesome first season,” said head coach John Fager. “We started with 20 girls and ended with 14 with six placing at state.”

Other Chargers placers were junior Kam Nez (third, 155 lbs.), junior Eva Schuenemann (sixth, 115 lbs.) and sophomore Midori Kano (sixth, 190 lbs.).

Coach Fager said every one of his wrestlers was brand new to the sport except his daughter Meleana, who has been on the mat since she was five years old.

“These girls didn’t come in with any bad habits, so they are learning sound technique and growing with the right fundamentals,” he said. “Our goal is to help every girl become the best they can and reach their individual goals. Our team success is a byproduct of our individual successes and needs. Wrestling makes everything in life easier; it helps you learn how to persevere and overcome in all aspects of life.”