Wilford Pratt of Duchesne accomplished a rare happening – winning all three matches at the 1-A State Wrestling Tournament in overtime – on his way to becoming a state champion in the 130 pound class on Feb. 13 in Orem. He nipped Ricky Wilcox of Monticello 6-4 in the title match. Earlier he defeated Dominic Vigil, Piute, 6-4 and edged Rhett Jackson, Wayne, 5-3.

Pratt led 2-0 on a takedown, but his opponent Wilcox led 3-2 heading to the final round of the championship match on a reversal. An illegal hold on Pratt gave Wilcox a 4-2 edge early in the third round.

“I shot a double leg and took him down to tie up the match at 4-4 with one minute left. He almost got a reversal on me with 20 seconds to go,” said Pratt. “I shot twice for takedowns and didn't get them. Wilcox tried to throw me. I countered him and then planted my hand. He fell and I got around him for the winning takedown.”

Pratt dedicated the season to his brother James “Bobby” Montague, who passed away this past November from injuries he suffered when struck by a car in Florida.

“I have a star tattoo over my heart in his memory,” Pratt said. Earlier in the season he wore a black Mohawk just like his late brother did. According to Duchesne Coach Brandon Moat after matches Pratt would point upward as a way of honoring his brother.

Winning a state championship was a goal for Pratt ever since he moved to Duchesne and attended third grade.

“It was a 'rush' to win a state championship,” said Pratt. “I took second as a freshman at Duchesne. The championship match should have gone into overtime, but I was called for a clasping-hands penalty late in the third round and lost the title.”

Eagle Coach Brandon Moat, who is a four-time state champ from Duchesne, was impressed with Pratt's wrestling style in overtime as he fought for the championship.

“He (Pratt) went after it aggressively like I have never seen before on a mat. Pratt was like a tornado. He spun around behind him for the takedown to win the match and the championship,” said Coach Moat. (First person to score a point wins in overtime.)

Pratt also put in extra time on the mat to win his first two matches at the state meet.

“In the first match my opponent shot a takedown move, but I 'shucked' (snap the head, shoulders and drop opponent to the mat) him and spun around for the takedown to net the win. In the second match I shot a single leg and put him down for a takedown for another overtime win. Both takedowns were pretty quick in about 20 seconds.”

His favorite pinning move is the double-arm bar.

“I've used it since I was a little kid out on the mat,” he said.

Coach Moat was totally focused on Pratt's determination on becoming a champion in his junior season. Pratt is getting ready for his senior year and another championship.

“He went after all three kids and outdid them by beating them in overtime,” said Coach Moat. “He wanted it more and went for all the marbles at the start of overtime. Pratt did a wonderful job,” said Coach Moat, who also offered congratulations to Altamont for winning the 1-A state team title.

Pratt wasn't alone as his teammate Austin Atkinson competed in the 130 pound class and placed third. Atkinson lost his first match to Jacob Perkins, Panguitch, on a pin in 1:07, but then Atkinson became red-hot just like his buddy Pratt and won three matches in a row. Atkinson pinned David Ivie, Altamont, in 1:57, nipped Rhett Jackson, Wayne, 4-2 and then finished third on a 5-2 win over Altamont's Dalan Knight.

Atkinson and Pratt posted similar records with Pratt finishing the season at 27-12 and Atkinson turning in a 27-11 mark. Perkins, who gave Atkinson his only loss, didn't place at the state meet. Pratt and Atkinson were in the same weight class, but didn't face each other at the state meet.

“Austin Atkinson is my best friend and we ended up in the same weight class. I was 3-0 and Atkinson lost just one match,” Pratt said. “We should have been in the championship finals, but he (Atkinson) had a tough first round match vs. Perkins (the previous time the two faced each other Atkinson won on a lopsided decision).”