A high school team with both skill and experience is a dangerous one. At Mountain Ridge High School, the girls wrestling team has a lot going for it—and it just might be enough for a state championship. 

Last season, the Sentinels placed second in the Class 6A state tournament, finishing behind Copper Hills 195.5-172. Head coach Brandon Birch has a lot of confidence in his team this season, and he has set a high bar for success. 

“We are going to have a veteran team this year with a lot of experience,” he said. “Last year we finished second in state as a team, and we have most everyone back from last year's team. Our goal is to stay healthy and to have another great run in the state tournament.”

From a skill and talent perspective, the Sentinels are as good as any team in the state. This season, Birch wants to see the girls improve the way they approach the game mentally. He said belief in self and in the team could put the team in position to accomplish its goals. 

“I think the biggest improvement I want to see from last year to this year is more mental,” Birch said. “We need to be more confident in our abilities and in ourselves. If we believe that we can achieve new heights individually and as a team, we have the potential to have a very special season. If we put in the work, help one another out and just believe in ourselves, the rest will take care of itself. Our goal is to be No. 1 and be the best that we can possibly be. If we take these steps and stay healthy, we can do that.”

With the bulk of the team bringing state tournament experience, the Sentinels will have a big edge on most opponents they face. Having so much experience also means Mountain Ridge has excellent leadership on the team. Birch also likes the girls’ work ethic and wrestling IQ. 

“We have talent and experience,” he said. “We have hard workers who are very smart, awesome young ladies who have great leadership abilities. These are great things to have.”

Birch has the luxury of coaching 19 returning starters from last season’s second-place team. Junior Olivia Merino placed second in her weight class last season and was sixth as a freshman. Senior Gabi Merino was third last season. She will wrestle at Utah Tech next season. Senior Hannah Whitlock will also contend for a state championship. She was runner-up in her class a season ago. Junior Naidelyn Lucio Coronado placed third in her weight class last season. 

A trio of Sentinels were fifth in the state tournament a season ago: senior Gloria Jessop, junior Luciana Garnez and sophomore Amelia Jenkins. Junior Brooklyn Eagar wasn’t on the team last season but placed fifth in state two seasons ago as a freshman. Senior Madi Fulks is a three-time state qualifier. She was third two years ago as a sophomore. Meanwhile, senior Eva Newland was sixth in her weight class as a freshman. She will be looking to qualify for state for the fourth season in a row. 

Other key returners this season are senior Vanhessa Soumpholphakdy, junior Sadie Ashton, senior McKenna Housekeeper, sophomore Bella Birch, sophomore Faith Bowen, junior Dylynn Wayman, sophomore Rianne Zhou, junior Ellie Grant and sophomore Nathali Lucio Coronado.  

If that’s not enough firepower to bolster the Sentinels’ chances for a state title, even more help has arrived. 

“We also have some girls entering our program who will help us out a lot this year as well,” Birch said.

Despite an enviable amount of seasoned experience and talent, nothing will be automatic for Mountain Ridge. Birch wants to make sure his players get along well, build strong team unity and commit to working hard each day. 

“I think our challenges are very similar to other teams,” he said. Making sure we have good team chemistry as our team continues to grow will be a key challenge to overcome. Trying to mesh so many different personalities and work as one unit can be hard. Wrestlers taking the time to get to know each other, cheer each other on, have each other’s back, work for each other as well as themselves and bond together on and off the mat is huge for our success.”

Birch has enjoyed the chance to coach the Mountain Ridge girls wrestling team. Not only have the Sentinels done well in the wins department, but the girls have positive attitudes, love to compete and want to do their best. Birch especially wants to send the seniors out on a high note. 

“I enjoy so many things about coaching this group,” he said. “There are so many fun personalities, as well as determined wrestlers in this group, that it makes coaching them a very great experience.  Also, this is my fourth year coaching girls wrestling here at Mountain Ridge, and we have an awesome group of seniors that have been with me since the beginning. It will be a great privilege and will be super exciting to see them perform in their senior years and to see them finish out their high school careers, but it will be hard at the same time to see them leave.”

The Sentinels compete in Region 2 against Bingham, Corner Canyon, Riverton, Herriman and Copper Hills. The challenging region features formidable opponents and many chances for Mountain Ridge to test itself. 

The Class 6A state tournament will take place Feb. 14, 15 at Utah Valley University.