In an event as competitive as the Tiger Grizz, the teams in attendance all have athletes who are among the best.  After two grueling days, the Braves were able to prove they had the best team.

The Braves, who trailed an incredibly tough Blackfoot squad by 4.5 points after the first day, were able to come through the back door and take the title from the Idaho powerhouse.  Blackfoot had six wrestlers in the championship round, but Star Valley had ten medalists, a fact that Coach Clark said was key.

“This really was a total team effort,” he stated in a telephone interview with the Independent.  “Every guy on this team did his part to help win this title.”

The Braves had two individual champions as Whitey Gardner claimed a 5-1 decision in the 112 weight class and Hayden Heap came all the way from the eighth seed in the tournament to win a thrilling 9-8 decision in the finals.

“You’ve got to give Hayden a lot of credit,” added Clark.  “Last year he was wrestling JV for us and now he’s made it to the championship round of two of the biggest tournaments in the mid-west.”

The title is the third straight event crown for the Braves who have previously claimed both the Green River and Box Elder tournaments.

Star Valley will be at home Thursday, January 24, to host the always tough Green River Wolves in a conference showdown.  Junior varsity will begin at 5 p.m. with varsity action to follow.

Be sure to read the January 24, 2008 edition of the Star Valley Independent for full results of this impressive win.

1st - Star Valley 205.5 pts

2nd - Blackfoot 197.5 pts

3rd - Mountain View (Idaho) 167 pts

4th - Weber (Utah) 153 pts

5th - Pocatello (Idaho) 135 pts