Orem • Eli Wells wrestles in the 285-pound weight class, but his athleticism and style draw comparisons to that of a wrestler about half his size.
“The heavyweight that I practice with, he says ‘You wrestle just like out 113-pounder,’” the Mountain Crest senior said. “I’m OK with it. Quickness is my key.”
Being mobile is one thing, but using the agility against the big bodies in Class 4A is what sets apart Wells. The athleticism was on full display Friday night as he recorded two pins to move unscathed into Saturday’s state semifinals.
Wells was one of nine Mountain Crest wrestlers to reach the state semifinals, and the Mustangs sit neck-and-neck with Uintah at the top of the team standings. Mountain Crest scored 126 points for a narrow advantage on Uintah (121).
Payson (89), Canyon View (78) and Bear River (70) round out the top 5 at the midway point.
Wells, last year’s runner-up in the heavyweight division, pinned Stansbury’s Braxton Ard in 3 minutes, 24 seconds then sent Payson’s McCoy Cook to the consolation bracket in 4:34.
“He’ll take some shots and get after people,” Mountain Crest coach Davie Swensen said. “I don’t know that he wrestles like a 113-pounder, but he’s more like maybe a 182-pounder, more of an athlete. Some heavyweights are pretty methodical. He’s a little more aggressive.”
Wells’ experience a year ago – competing in the spotlight of the championship match – has prepared him for this chance at redemption.
A state title would cap a near-perfect season – his only loss was to Class 6A state champion Brady Briskey – and would pull Wells even with older brother Sylas, who won the 220 state title for the Mustangs in 2012.
“My older brother and I have a competition going,” Wells said. “I want to be like him and be a state champion. It’s a long ways away.”
Will there be pressure? Sure, but pressure’s nothing new to Wells, who kicked a game-winning field goal against Dixie to win a football state quarterfinal playoff game last November.
“It never gets easier to go out on the mat,” Wells said. “The nerves get going and the heart gets pumping. I’ve known the stress and pressure and that’s helped me. I’m climbing the mountain, and I’m almost to the top.”
The remaining path is far from paved. Next in his way is Desert Hills junior Enoka Fuailetolo, who also recorded two pins Friday.
The other half of the bracket features Cedar City’s Daniel Jordan (42-3 this season) and David Herring of Mountain View, a junior who is the other top seed in the bracket.
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