Published: May 13, 2009 09:27 am      

Banquet honors wrestlers

By SANDY WILLIAMS



Twenty four wrestlers were honored as high school letterman at this year’s Wrestling Banquet. The honors didn’t stop there as they were also awarded OSSSA certificates for Dual State Runner-ups and 4A State Wrestling Champions.

Those honored were seniors Bobby Williams and Heath Long, juniors Cole Gracey, Shane Woods, Colton Roberts, Jerrod Williams, Seth Hutchison, Steve Cook, Dallas Gracey, Jake Pierce, Jake Simpson, Matthew Hagar and James Duncan, sophomore Dylan Coppenbarger, freshmen D. J. Boles, Sterling Hawkins, Mike Miears, Steven Giese, Trent Cantu, Kyle Birdwell, Jake Long, Garrett Gibson, Brody Spenser and Billy Wilson.

Senior wrestling managers Kaitlyn Soblasky, Scarlet Hawkins and Brytt Roberts were also recognized with certificates and plaques for the hard work and dedication to the wrestling program.

Bobby Williams and Shane Woods were both crowned as Tuttle’s Wrestlers of the Year with both having an outstanding season. Williams capped off his senior year with his third State Wrestling Title and a 41-3 record; Woods won his first State Title ending his junior year with a 40-3 record.

Tuttle’s Iron Man Award went to Colton Roberts for his dominating battle to win his first State Wrestling title. Cole Gracey was awarded with the Most Wins-Most Falls Award, Jake Simpson was awarded with the 2009 Performance Award and Heath Long was awarded the Most Improved Wrestler.

D. J. Boles was awarded the New Comer Award and Sterling Hawkins was awarded the Outstanding Freshman Wrestler. Dylan Coppenbarger was awarded the Outstanding Sophomore Wrestler, Matt Hagar was awarded the Outstanding JV Wrestler, Zachary Beard was awarded the Outstanding Eighth Grade Wrestler and Dakota Head was awarded the Outstanding Seventh Grade Wrestler.

“Going into the state tournament, we knew we had to perform well with the focus being on gaining bonus team points,” Coach Surber said as haddressed the banquet crowd. “Next year, we are going to focus more on individual goals and winning individual championships then everything else will fall into place. We are returning eight of our nine state qualifiers and will be looking for more to qualify next year.”

At the conclusion of the banquet, special recognition was given to all the wrestling sponsors whose generosity and support is an integral part of the wrestling programs success.