Local youth wrestler brings home Utah Triple Crown

Local youth wrestler Austin Paris Wright has won the Utah Wrestling Triple Crown award.

Austin, the 9-year-old son of Wyland and Holly Paris Wright, went into that weekend as the Folk Style State Champion, after winning that award in February for the third consecutive year.

After he did so, he made it his goal to take state in all three styles and in turn win the triple crown. Needing to take first in both Greco and Freestyle to reach his goal, he traveled to Farmington, Utah, representing Devils Wrestling to participate in the Greco-Roman State Championships and Freestyle State Championships.

On Friday, April 21, he wrestled in the Greco-Roman State Championships, where his bracket held three reigning state champs. Austin was seeded number one and had a pretty easy time until the semifinals, where he met up with last year’s intermediate state champ; after a slow start he wound up pinning his opponent in the second period, thus guaranteeing his spot in the finals where he faced last year’s 50-pound Bantam State Champ. After falling behind 2-0, he went on to eventually win 16-6 – his closest match of the day.

On Saturday, April 22, he once again found himself seeded number one in the bracket. He won his quarterfinals match 18-8, which wound up being his closest match on the day. Once again on April 22, his semifinal match was against the intermediate reigning state champ. Austin went on to defeat his opponent 12-1, which put him into the finals. In a highly anticipated championship match, he faced last year’s 55-pound Bantam State Champion, where Austin gave up one escape and defeated his opponent 12-1 for first place. In doing so, he achieved his goal of becoming a Utah Triple Crown winner.

Now that he has won, he said he is excited to be able to go to Utah Valley University for an awards banquet and be honored with the others who won the Triple Crown.

Austin’s record so far this season is 150-5, and he is ranked #1 in the USA Future Olympian Rankings. He has had 43 championships and a 13-0 record for his middle school team. He is also a member of Team Utah.

Coach Beachem Bosh said that Austin is one of the hardest-working kids he knows.

“He doesn’t quit,” Bosh said. “His heart and his work ethic stand out to me; we don’t call him Awesome Austin for nothing. He’s a great teammate and I am very happy for him in earning the title of Triple Crown State Champion. He is a good example that hard work pays off.”

Coach Jason Ramsdell, his middle school coach, said he’s very proud of Austin.

“Yes, he has natural ability and talent I haven’t seen in a kid his age, but I’ve also not worked with a wrestler at any age who is as dedicated to the extremely hard work and perseverance it takes to be a triple crown champion,” Ramsdell said. “Austin is also gracious when he wins and he is respectful to his coaches and his family. He has tremendous potential to be an outstanding role model and athlete for many years to come.”

Austin thanked his mom and dad for driving him all over to compete and for keeping him working hard, as well as his brother/wrestling partner Landon Moralez for all the help and work in Freestyle and Greco he has done with him on the mat. He also thanked Bosh and Ramsdell for coaching and helping him this year.

Austin Wright ranked #1 in Future Olympian Rankings