OREM – Snow Canyon’s Kody Hafen had a history he wasn’t proud of at the state Class 3A wrestling tournament.
“I’ve wrestled for 15 years and never taken first (in a state meet),” Hafen said after exorcising his personal demons on Saturday. Hafen defeated Juab’s Jayce Lind 6-4 to claim the 120-pound championship.
“I always choked,” Hafen said. “But I beat Brady Lowry (of Canyon View), the No. 1 seed, in the semifinals and knew if I wrestled like that I could take state. I’m only the fourth state champion from Snow Canyon.
“I’m pleased,” Hafen continued. “I’ve always had doubts and (Lind) beat me 8-2 last week at regionals. So, this is an exciting win.”
Only one other Southern Utah wrestler claimed a state championship. Liam Williams of Desert Hills completed an impressive 42-1 record when he won the 152-pound title, beating teammate Brady Jones for a technical fall.
Four others placed second. They were Randal Donn of Pine View at 113, Eric Gourde of Canyon view at 160, Bundy Sewell of Desert Hills at 285, and, of course, Jones at 152.
Bear River won the team championship with 231 points with Juab second at 198 and Morgan third at 149. Desert Hills had 140 and Cedar tied Tooele with 115 for fifth place. Snow Canyon had 113.5; Canyon View 99, and Pine View 64. Dixie scored 36 and Hurricane had 32.5.
Hafen also led several Southern Utahns on the Academic All-State team. Joining him were Jace Roundy and Sandon Stokes of Cedar, Tanner Emerson and James Porter of Dixie, Tanner Terry of Desert Hills and Kyler Blackmore of Hurricane.
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