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Orem • It's been six years since the Box Elder wrestling team captured a 4A title, but the boys from Brigham City look like the team to beat after the first day of the 4A tournament.

After maintaining a slim lead over Mountain Crest, Maple Mountain and two-time defending champion Payson after Round 1, the Bees had a breakout quarterfinal, advancing 10 wrestlers to the championship semifinals.

"We were hoping to get eight, and we got 10," said Box Elder coach Mike Kiplinger. "Those 10 kids really battled today and set the tone for the rest of our wrestlers."

After competition Friday, the Bees amassed 138 points and had a significant lead over Mountain Crest (95.5) and Maple Mountain (92).

Box Elder senior Koleton Hardy improved to 49-0 on the season with two quick pins and said the team's goal has never wavered this season.

"All year long, our goal has been to win everything," Hardy said. "We've had a couple of tournaments recently where we didn't meet our expectations, and I think that's part of why we wrestled so well today."

Maple Mountain advanced eight wrestlers to the championship semifinals. Coach Justin Judkins wouldn't concede the title Wednesday night, but he said his team would need to do something special to get back into title contention.

"The semifinals are where the tournament is won, but we would need to win all eight of our semifinals to have any shot," he said. "It's all about the mental adjustments the kids make after they take their first loss, for those we have in consolation."

Defending champion Payson is currently in fourth place, but the Lions advanced just six grapplers to the semifinals. Uintah is fifth, with five wrestlers in the semis. —

Highlights

R Olympus 171-pounder Brandon McBride advanced to the semifinals with a technical fall and a pin. If McBride wins his semifinal match against Devon Montgomery, he will likely have a chance to avenge his only loss of the season to Payson's Brady Loveless.

• East 189-pounder Aaron Kuttler advanced to the semifinals in his bracket with a pin and an 11-5 decision against Lorenzo Rowley of Maple Mountain. One more win has the senior vying for a state championship.

• Highland 285-pounder Toi Taufa makes a surprising semifinal appearance on Thursday. Taufa entered the tournament with a 23-6 record, but the senior earned a 7-6 decision in the first round, then pinned heavily favored Jordan Shaw of Mountain Crest with five seconds left in the match.

• Don't count out Woods Cross senior Sasha Prosence. He has one leg but has earned a 31-5 record and a berth in the semifinals of the oin, 103 pound wrestling tournament, where he will face Brandon George of Maple Mountain. —

Team scores

1. Box Elder 38.points

2. Mountain Crest 95.5

3. Maple Mountain 92.0

4. Payson 88.5

5. Uintah 73

6. Orem 33.5

7. Logan 33

7. Provo 33

9. Springville 33

9. Tooele 33

11. Salem Hills 29

12. Lehi 24

13. Highland 22

14. Spanish Fork 21

15. Sky View 20.5

16. Pine View 18

17. Olympus 16.5

18. Dixie 15

19. Stansbury 13

20. Timpanogos 12

21. Snow Canyon 10.5

21. Woods Cross 10.5

23. East 10

24. Westlake 7

25. Bonneville 5.5

26. Bountiful 4.5

27. Mountain View 3