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Orem • Tyson Humpherys plopped onto the concrete surface at the UCCU Center at Utah Valley University spent of energy. He slowly peeled off the bandage connecting three of his fingers, with his nose mangled and his smile resembling something out of "True Blood" with a gash on his lip.
Welcome to the state tournament, freshman.
The injuries were of little concern for the grappler out of Layton, however, as he finished atop the 113-pound division.
"It was totally worth it," Humpherys said. "Every blood, sweat, tears. It was all worth it."
A member of the Lancers coaching staff approached the young star, and proclaimed: "You set the stage for the rest of the day."
He certainly did, as Layton knocked off six-time defending champion Pleasant Grove with a team score of 259.5 compared to the Vikings' 223.5 to capture the first state championship since 2000 and the fourth overall.
"After dethroning PG, it just feels amazing," said Layton senior Tanner Benedict. "To be able to be the first team to knock them off and get that state title for our school feels great."
For Benedict, Thursday was even sweeter. After coming up short in the final round for three straight years, Benedict claimed the individual title in the 126-pound division in addition to the team championship.
"So many emotions after being in the state finals three times to finally get that title feels great," Benedict said. "I was so motivated. I worked every single practice for this state title. That's what my whole wrestling career has been working for. It was always in my head."
Layton sophomore Terrell Barraclough, who won his second straight title in the 120-pound division, said the moment was a "dream." He's already focused his attention on accomplishing his ultimate goal of winning all four years of his high school career.
He's confident the goal is obtainable because of the work he puts in. It's the same quality the entire Layton team shares: a quiet confidence. After securing the lead after Day 1, the Lancers weren't nervous headed into Thursday because they had already done what was necessary leading to the final day.
"It was a long drive home [on Wednesday] back to Layton, but I showered, climbed into my bed and I was out," Barraclough said. "I always sleep good in my bed."
Twitter: @trevorphibbs —
Class 5A title matches
106 • Brayden Clark, Fremont, def. Braydon Mogle, Mountain Crest, 8-4
113 • Tyson Humpherys, Layton, def. Tayton Bennett, Fremont, 13-4
120 • Terrell Barraclough, Layton, def. Cole Zorn, Pleasant Grove, 5-0
126 • Tanner Benedict, Layton, def. James Holman, American Fork, 7-0
132 • Shion Abe, Viewmont, def. Derek Fisher, Pleasant Grove, 7-6
138 • Dylan Gregerson, Riverton, def. Tayler Durfee, American Fork, 9-5
145 • Logan Jensen, Herriman, def. Steven Quintana, Layton, 10-3
152 • Brayden Stevens, Brighton, def. Collin Smith, Viewmont, 7-2
160 • Roy Bingham, Mountain Crest, p. Mason Christianse, Bingham, in 5:38
170 • Cole Moody, Bingham, def. James Porritt, Layton, 12-4
182 • Austin Clem, Layton, def. Jacob Rhoton, American Fork, 4-3
195 • Maika Tauteoli, Pleasant Grove, def. William Money, Viewmont, 2-1
220 • Brandon Closson, Pleasant Grove, def. Hunter Larsen, Weber, 3-2
285 • Brady Briskey, Weber, p. Elias Wells, Mountain Crest, in 2:41
Team scores • 1. Layton 259.5; 2. Pleasant Grove 223.5; 3. Fremont 175; 4. Mountain Crest 161; 5. American Fork 127.5; 6. Viewmont 125; 7. Herriman 113.5; 8. Syracuse 73; 9. Weber 69; 10. Bingham 65; 11. Sky View 54; 12. Hunter 48; 13. Lehi 47; 14. Westlake 38; 15. Brighton 36.5; 16. Taylorsville 31; 17. Riverton 28; 18. Lone Peak 18; 19. Granger 15; 20. Copper Hills 14; 20. Jordan 14; 22. Davis 12; 23. West Jordan 11; 24. Clearfield 9; 25. West 4; 26. Northridge 2