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South Valley Riverton Journal

Page Wins Final Wrestling Match

Apr 08, 2016 09:33AM ● By Greg James

By Greg James | [email protected]

South Valley - Riverton High School senior Simeon Page realized his athletic dreams. As Page faced his personal rival for the final time in his career, he came out on top as a state champion.

“It feels pretty great to be a state champion. It is very gratifying and has been a long time coming. It was cool to win for myself, but also for my team and coaches,” Page said.

The 220-pound weight class at the 5A Utah State wrestling tournament Feb. 11 pitted two neighbors — Page against Herriman’s Wade French. Both seniors were familiar with each other from the many times they had been opponents.

“Wade is a very good wrestler and comes from a great program. We have been opponents several times since my sophomore year. This season he had taken me twice,” Page said.

As the championship match entered the third period, French had a slim 3–0 lead. French had taken Page down early in the first period, but that was all of the scoring until the final minutes of the match.

“With him all of our matches are close. Midway through the final period, I looked up and he was up 4–2. I knew this was going to be my last match. I thought to myself that I might as well go out hard. I would rather get pinned trying than lose by a point again. I went after him for the final 45 seconds. I gave it my all. When it ended, I did not even know what the score was. I thought I had lost, but we were tied,” Page said.

In overtime both wrestlers shot in toward each other. Page capitalized and got a takedown for two points and held off French for the final few seconds.

“I believe all those years of hard work and lifting kept me going and helped me win. I was pretty happy,” Page said.

Page pinned Eli Wells from Mountain Crest in the first round of the tournament. He then defeated Connor Taylor from Davis and Brandon Closson from Pleasant Grove to reach the finals. He entered the tournament with a 32–6 record this season.

“This was my favorite wrestling season. I was happy with it. I wish I had done better in Reno [fifth place], but our team was so close. I really learned a lot from Coach Crump and Dwayne [Riverton coaches]. If you chase something hard enough at any given moment it can happen,” Page said.

He has signed a letter of intent to play football at Air Force Academy. He was first team all-state in 2014 and 2015. He finished this season with 111 tackles and six sacks.

“I am so excited. Air Force is where I wanted to be. I am ecstatic to be headed there,” he said.

He will report to basic training at the end of July.