CEDAR FALLS, IOWA—Dallin Sweat, a freshman wrestler at Manti High School, gained All-American status by taking sixth place at the 2021 Folkstyle Nationals wrestling tournament.
This is the first step in achieving the Triple Crown in wrestling.
Sweat, the son of Diana Barnes and Steven Sweat of Manti, traveled to Iowa for the prestigious tournament with teammate Cody Dyches and Coach Spencer Dyches of Ephraim.
Sweat wrestled in the 160-pound division, where he tallied three wins and three losses in his 16-man bracket.
“My best match was my third match of the day,” said Sweat. “I had already lost a match and if I lost this one, I would be out of the tournament. With only 10 seconds left, I was down by a point. I was able to push through and get the takedown to gain the two points and the win.”
By winning that match, Sweat was guaranteed a place in the top eight and would gain the All-American status.
This tournament is just the start of many opportunities for young wrestlers to become All Americans across the nation. Several other wrestlers from the county will be wrestling over the next few months to earn their spot on the podium.
“I still have a lot to work on, but I think I wrestled at the highest level I have ever wrestled at,” said Sweat.
