Editors Note: This article was originally published in the Feb. 14, 2024 issue of the Chronicle Progress. Some information may be outdated.
Turner named 2A Coach of the Year; team records MHS’ 21st state championship title
The stars seemed to align this past weekend as Millard High School won its third State Wrestling Championship in a row.
This was Millard’s 21st state title, scoring an impressive 331.5 points and beating the second place team by 69.5 points. Seven Millard wrestlers earned individual state titles: Kolter Kelly, Dak Eldredge, Sam Rasmussen, Morgan Tingey, Kaden Turner, Emilio Jackson, and Scoot DeHerrera.
What are the essential elements of a team dominating the way Millard has in 2A wrestling?
According to head coach Brenden Turner, one of the key elements to their success has a lot to do with process.
“We talk a lot about believing in our training and in each other. These boys work hard for three-and-a-half months, and they must believe in that and allow it to pay off,” he said.
Coach Turner went on to talk about the massive amount of support they receive from their teammates, coaches, families, and the community and how important that is for the program. Another key element is strength of schedule.
“We pride ourselves in getting the best competition in the state, and I believe that pays off when we get to the state tournament. If we put them in tough situations early in the season, then the state tournament seems like just another match,” he said.
A third element present in this recipe for success is tradition.
Coach Turner acknowledges the power of tradition and how fortunate Millard is to have been built on a lot of success in the past. This tradition “gives the boys something to work toward and carry on.”
There has been a real feeling of gratitude on this team throughout the season. The wrestlers are grateful for the opportunity to compete, for their coaches, and families. The coaching staff is full of gratitude for the wrestlers, their families, and the community.
“The people who probably deserve the most love are the coaches’ families who give up their husbands and dads every weekend for three months. I’m extremely grateful for the love and support of my family,” Turner said.
This year, Coach Turner and the team focused on getting better every day. This philosophy wasn’t only applied to wrestling but also to the little things in life. Wrestling at Millard is about more than wrestling; it is about preparing for life. Many wrestlers and parents expressed their gratitude for a program that emphasizes qualities that will benefit the boys on and off the mat.
“The coaches are great in the good times, but they also teach us how to work through challenges and trials and help us figure it out,” said Lincoln Fullmer, a senior on the team.
The atmosphere in the wrestling room is positive, competitive, and full of gratitude, all of which gets noticed.
Coach Turner said, “Several coaches congratulated us on the way our boys carry themselves, and as a coach, that sometimes means more than the victories.”
One of the major highlights at the state tournament came at the very end when Coach Turner was named 2A Coach of the Year. He was the obvious choice, but when he was asked about the honor, he humbly expressed appreciation.
“This means a lot to me because it tells me that other coaches in the division notice my hard work, and this award is a symbol of that,” he said.
Coach Turner accepted the award and did a backflip for his boys as they chanted “Backflip! Backflip!”
Ethan Stephenson, an assistant coach, said he’s had a front-row seat to Turner’s coaching style.
“It is a privilege to coach with Brenden. He cares about the boys in wrestling but is also concerned with their success in life,” he said.
These kinds of sentiments were shared again and again by the wrestlers and others who have felt the impact of the amazing work the coaches and team put in this season.
Blaine Burraston, Millard High’s athletic director, said, “There is no one out there more deserving of Coach of the Year. Brenden invests an incredible amount of time—time away from his family—into these boys. He builds relationships with the kids based on trust and communication.”
Two-time state champion Kolter Kelly added, “Coach lets us have fun and is willing to laugh with us, but he also teaches us how to focus when we need to focus.”
There are very few wrestlers who earn the rank of four-time state champion, but Millard’s Sam Rasmussen claimed that title Saturday night.
Sam said he’d always dreamed of being a four-time state champion, but he gives credit to his coaches and family for helping him catch the vision as a freshman.
“When I took state my freshman year, my distant dream became a real possibility, and I worked extra hard to make that dream come true,” he said.
Sam was also awarded Most Outstanding Wrestler for the lower weights, while junior Kaden Turner, the state champion in the 175 weight class, was voted Most Outstanding Wrestler for the upper weights.
This is an honor voted on by the other coaches, so it means a lot to be recognized by those who know the sport and what it takes to be an outstanding wrestler.
So what does the future look like for Millard Wrestling?
When asked if he had anything else to say, without a second’s hesitation and in almost the same breath, Coach Turner said, “I am grateful for the opportunity to be the coach of Millard High Wrestling. I appreciate the continued support I get from the community and the administration. Now let’s go get number 22!”
Emilio Jackson (190), seen here pinning an opponent, was one of seven Millard High wrestlers named state champion in their weight class.
