Manti junior Keely Hansen captured a state championship at the 2026 UHSAA Utah Wrestling State Championships, anchoring a strong showing by Sanpete County wrestlers across both boys and girls divisions at the state meet.

Hansen won the Class 3A girls title at 170 pounds on Feb. 5 at the Sevier Valley Center in Richfield, finishing off a tournament run that reflected a season spent competing in high-level environments. Her title helped lift the Manti High School girls wrestling team to a seventh-place finish overall, despite entering the tournament with just four athletes.

“Keely delivered a championship performance this week,” assistant coach Doug Spencer said. “She’s put herself in those environments all season, and when it mattered most, she came through and anchored this team.”

The Manti girls scored 70 team points and finished seventh among much larger programs, with all four wrestlers placing. All four competitors were juniors, underscoring both the team’s immediate success and its long-term potential.

Alongside Hansen, Summer Rowley played a central role in the team’s performance. A three-year wrestler, Rowley finished second at state and consistently produced points throughout the tournament.

“Summer could always be counted on for wins and points,” Spencer said. “She set the tone with her leadership and her physical style of wrestling.”

Two first-year wrestlers also contributed key points. Juniors Kristy Beal and Charly Poulson, both competing in their first state tournament, finished fifth and sixth, respectively. Head coach Heather Rowley credited their rapid development and resilience in the consolation bracket.

“Their improvement over the season was remarkable,” Rowley said. “They battled back after losses and scored critical points when we needed them.”

Coaches pointed to a season-long emphasis on mindset, centered on the phrase “Believe It, Behave It, Become It,” as a defining element of the team’s success. Spencer said assistant coaches Libby Booher and Rachel Nelson played major roles in building that culture.

“Libby and Rachel connected with this team and made all the difference,” Spencer said. “They played big roles in this season’s success.”

On the boys side, Sanpete County athletes also earned multiple podium finishes in Class 3A competition.

Manti senior Durke Larsen advanced to the championship match at 126 pounds before finishing as state runner-up. Larsen entered the tournament with a 49–5 record and capped his season with a second-place finish.

Manti also added fifth-place finishes from Brian Marquez at 138 pounds and Wyatt Hanks at 157 pounds.

North Sanpete produced a podium finisher as well. Jesse Nuttall placed third at 190 pounds, securing a pin in his third-place match. North Sanpete wrestlers advanced into placement rounds across multiple weight classes and contributed to the team’s overall presence at the state meet.

In Class 2A, Gunnison Valley sent several wrestlers into medal matches. Ryder Coates earned a fifth-place finish at 132 pounds, while Lincoln Pratt placed sixth at 215 pounds after advancing through the consolation bracket. Gunnison Valley also had additional qualifiers compete through early rounds in a deep 2A field.

The state championships, held Feb. 4–14, featured wrestlers from across Utah in both boys and girls divisions. Sanpete County athletes advanced through championship and consolation brackets, earning individual hardware and reinforcing the county’s continued strength in the sport.

For Manti’s girls program, the week carried added significance. With one state champion, multiple placers and every athlete returning next season, coaches hope the team’s success encourages more athletes to join.

“They proved that leadership, physical wrestling and belief can produce big results,” Spencer said, “even with a small roster.”