The Juan Diego Catholic High School girls wrestling team returns two state placers from last year’s 3A tournament in Avie Hernandez, who placed third in the 235-pound division, and Tiffany Nguyen who was sixth at 125 pounds. Nguyen will captain the girls squad for her senior season with both wrestlers aiming to be back on the podium at the end to finish out their high school careers. 

Head coach Zac Petereit, a former JDCHS wrestler who is in his fourth season coaching the program, said he expects senior captain Mario Perez to lead the boys squad. “Mario is looking to have a great season and hopefully end up close to the top of the podium in the state,” Petereit said, also noting returning sophomore Lana Chan who could place on the girls side in the 105-pound division. “We’re hoping for at least one girls state champion and at least three podium placements and top 10 finishes for the boys and girls this season.”

Also on the Juan Diego team this season are freshman Jackson Kunz (113 pounds), sophomore Natalia Cardenas (120), freshman Gabriel Huerta (120), freshman Adam Lockingen (126), freshman Koby Burton (130), senior Mario Perez (132), junior Rickey Brown (135), freshman Hudson Houtz (138), freshman Aliana Villareal-Flores (140), senior Alex Modtland (144), sophomore Brian Gutierrez (150), freshman Gabriel Vargas (157), senior Nico Vargas (157), sophomore Esteban Nunez (165), senior Roman Rossano (165), senior Alec Antonio (175), junior Caden Kerrigan (175), freshman Manuel Trejo (175), senior Toby Hardin (190) and senior Nik Gill-Martin (215). 

The Soaring Eagle programs are scheduled to compete at the Turkey Brawl at Jordan High Nov. 26-27 (boys), Brawl at the Hall at Providence Hall Nov. 27 (girls), the Gauntlet at Olympus Dec. 6-7 (boys), the Skyhawk Showdown at Payson Dec. 6-7 (girls), the Dave Smith Memorial at Carbon Dec. 13-14 (boys), the Silverwolf Invitational at Fremont Dec. 14 (girls), the Christmas Classic at RSL Training Center Dec. 20-21 (boys and girls), the Battle Royale at Mountain Ridge Dec. 28 (boys) and the Battle at the Mine at Tintic Jan. 11, 2025 (co-ed). 

Dual meets will be held against Providence Hall, Cyprus and St. Joseph’s Dec. 3, 17 and 19, respectively at Juan Diego, at Summit Academy Jan. 9, 2025, at Manti Jan. 15, 2025, at American Leadership Academy Jan. 17, 2025 and at home against Ben Lomond Jan. 23, 2025. Co-ed Divisionals are scheduled for Jan. 31 through Feb. 1, 2025 at South Summit with the boys 3A state tournament Feb. 12-13, 2025 at Utah Valley University and the girls 3A state tournament Feb. 14-15, 2025, also at UVU.