GRHS wrestlers seek state championship year

Green River High School wrestling got close enough to a state championship last year, they could almost taste it. At second place, the sweat of victory was one place away. This year, they intend to take the victory. To end the season as state champions is their goal this year.

"They're working pretty hard. I think they're pretty focused on our goal," GRHS wrestling coach Marshell Rhodes said. "If we work hard and improve, then I think we have a chance. They realize that, they're focused on that."

Rhodes has seven wrestling state placers returning this year as well, who are eager to take the win this year. Returning 2015 state placers is Cyro Montoya, who placed first last year, Nathan McCann and Shandon Welsh, who placed second, Caleb Nathan, Gage Byers, and Brendan Hopkins, third place, and Jordan Tucker, fifth place.

"We have a lot of experience back," Rhodes said. "And we've got a good group of underclass men."

Rhodes said they should be pretty decent by the end of the year. He is pretty optimistic that they can finish well.

To start their journey of a season, the wrestlers head to Heber City, Utah Thursday, for a duel against Wasatch High School.

"They are very good," Rhodes said.

Rhodes said Wasatch High School may be the top ranked team in all of Utah.

"They're really solid, but I think we can compete," he said. "Our guys know what they're getting into. I think we'll wrestle hard."

Next, is a tournament Friday and Saturday in Evanston, against the Evanston Red Devils among others.

About 15 teams will be competing.

These earlier wrestling matches of the season are non-conference matches and do not count toward the ranking to state wrestling. Conference matches start in January and February.