The Malad wrestling team started the 2025 year off right- on the mats and in the brackets against the toughest competition they could find.  January’s opening weekend, the varsity wrestlers competed in two tournaments beginning with the Richardson Memorial tournament at Box Elder High School on January 3-4.  

Those wrestlers not competing in the second day of the Richardson tournament entered  the Bear Lake tournament on Saturday, January 4 in Montpelier.  Between the two tournaments, the Dragon wrestling team put significant time on the mats and in return saw significant success. 

The Richardson Memorial Tournament featured the best wrestlers from the top schools of Utah, Wyoming and Idaho.  Traditionally the tournament boasts of extremely tough competition and this year was no different. The MHS wrestlers were set for the challenge and walked away with a number of medaling athletes.

Sophomore Drake Morrison won the 150lb varsity bracket, pinning and tech-ing his way through the tournament. Morrison is the first MHS wrestler to claim the top spot of any bracket at the tournament.

Four Dragons earned their spot on the podium at the Richardson.

Drake Morrison 150lb Champion; Jack Willie 106lb Runner Up; Oakley Maddox 157lb 4th place; and Gabe Hooste 175lb 5th place.

Head Coach Devin Morrison commented about their results saying, “Our boys wrestled incredibly well and fought hard for the medals they brought home. Facing tough competition through the season is what helps prepare our team for district and state.”

At the Bear Lake tournament, nine Dragons made their way through their weight classes to the medal stand:

131 lbs Ayden Potter 2nd

143 lbs Roper Higley 2nd

190 lbs Cam Bingham 2nd

132 lbs Parker Price 3rd

138 lbs Cruz Carter 3rd

144 lbs Zane Komrofske 3rd

190 lbs Rydon Montgomery 3rd

98 lbs Brady Oglesbee 4th

120 lbs Wade Clark 4th

The Lady Dragon wrestlers also traveled to Bear Lake to compete in the 2025 Traedon McPherson Memorial tournament on Jan 4th.  “The ladies all wrestled extremely well,” shared the coaching staff.  Continuing they shared, “The team as a whole has worked hard in the practice room and it is showing in the competitions that they are wrestling in.”  

The improvements from one tournament to the next has been noticeable, for both the seasoned wrestlers and those with less experience.  Seeing opponents from different teams, states, and styles has only helped them find progress this season.

Their progress led them to an exciting team victory over the weekend, winning the Traedon McPherson Memorial tournament for the second year in a row.  At 100 lbs Serenity Brees took 2nd, at 107 lbs Braylee Price won 2nd with Stella Merja placing 4th.  At 114 lbs the team had 3 ladies wrestling- Bentley Oglesbee winning 1st place, Karsen Thornock 3rd place, and Laney Coatney 4th place.  At 120 lbs Bella McCullough took 2nd place with Paysli Chournos 3rd place. Wrestling in her very first tournament, Makiya Shulz went out and secured a 2nd place spot for the team.  At 132 lbs Dezirae Haven placed 3rd.  Aubrey Shulz wrestled at 138 lbs to take 2nd place.  In the 235 lb bracket Bella Smith placed 1st.  

Those placements secured the win for the Lady Dragons with a score of 102.5 points.  

The Lady Dragons wrestle next in Soda Springs on Wednesday, January 8 in Soda Springs at the 5th District Duals.  The schedule then has them competing in Madison for another two day tournament  on January 10-11.