FARGO, N.D. — This past prep season Brock Hardy won a state title as a freshman grappler for Box Elder. Now you can add national champion to an ever-growing list of accomplishments.
Hardy won the USA Wrestling National title in the Cadet age division (14-15 year-olds) in freestyle wrestling at 138 pounds this past weekend. Hardy added this national title after garnering a silver medal in Greco-Roman earlier in the week. This made Hardy a double All-American in the most prestigious wrestling event for youth wrestlers.
Hardy won seven matches including a thrilling 10-9 victory over Pennyslvania's Sam Sasso to claim the title.
In the Cadet age division, Utah placed 13th out of 48 competing states and territories, including four All-Americans. As they did in the Greco-Roman, Illinois won the state title.
Joining Hardy as All-Americans were Braydon Mogle (94 pounds), who finished eighth, Isaac Wilcox (145) and Chase Trussell (220). Mogle and Trussell were also Greco-Roman All-Americans. Wilcox and Trussell were state placers this past season for Olympus and Morgan respectively.
Terrell Barraclough (113) and Zac Musselman (138) also made deep runs in the tournament just finishing one match away from All-American status. Barraclough and Musselman both won prep state titles last year for Layton and Monticello, respectively.
In the older Junior Division (ages 16-18), Taylor LaMont (132) finished just one point short of winning his second national title. LaMont was edged by Michigan's Ian Fisher, 3-2, in the championship bout. LaMont was a four-time state champion at Maple Mountain and will wrestle at Utah Valley this upcoming season.
Owen Pentz, who prepped at Morgan last year winning a state title, also garnered a sliver medal. Pentz, like LaMont, won six matches before falling in the championship bout by a single point. Canten Marriott, signed to wrestle at Missouri where he will be the roomate of Davis High three-time state champion Wyatt Koelling, defeated Pentz 6-5.
The Beehive State also produced two other junior All-Americans as Jaron Jensen placed sixth at 145 pounds and Ashton Seely finished fifth at 220 pounds. Jensen won three state titles for Herriman, while Seely, who will be a senior next year at Juab High School, will go for his fourth state title. Jensen joined Pentz as double All-Americans.
Utah finished 11th out of 48 competing states and territories in the Junior age division as Pennsylvania was the top state.
In the female competitions, Hailey Cox (130) finished sixth in the Juniors, while Rebecca Hamilton (172) finished eighth in the Cadets.
Brian Preece is the former head wrestling coach at Provo High School from 1994-2006 and was named Utah's Coach of the Year by the National Wrestling Coaches Association in 2206. He is also a freelance sports writer.