State wrestling: Uintah girl delivers historic win

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OREM - Uintah wrestler Candace Workman has a knack for making history. In Nov. 2004, she was told she couldn't register in one of the boys' tournament divisions. With the help of the American Civil Liberties Union, she was able to in a 2005 December tournament.

Thursday , she took another step forward for girls in Utah as she stormed through the first two rounds of matches at the 103-pound weight to make the semifinals of the Class 3A tournament.

If the junior wants to make more history, she'll get her chance today and Saturday. Only one girl nationwide ever has won a state wrestling title.

Workman's path seemed smooth early as she picked up a pin in her first match against Grantsville's Austin Rowley.

Not that she was satisfied.

"I came out a little over anxious during the first match and didn't wrestle up to my abilities," she said.

She made some personal history in the quarterfinals when she faced North Sanpete junior Kolten Cheney, who already had defeated Workman twice during the season. But just as Workman has done in the past, when close to defeat, the Region 10 champ rises up against adversity. She struggled to eke out a 3-2 win over Cheney to earn her spot in the semifinals.

"I reviewed film with my coach, Gregg Stensgard, and put together a strategy that I felt comfortable with," Workman said. "It was a close match but I'm happy I'm moving on to the [semi-finals]."

Stensgard is used to helping Workman plot her course to making history. He helped her earn a spot in last year's state tournament. It was the first time a girl qualified for the Utah state tournament.

To the team, she's just one of the guys. As part of that team, Workman has helped put Uintah in good position in the 3A standings. The Utes are in third place with 111 points. They're well behind leader Delta's 141, but they have a chance at second-place Wasatch (123.5).

"It definitely helps us team-wise, every finalist we get helps our cause," Stensgard said. "[Wasatch] has a lot of firepower and we'll need every point we can get."

Workman's teammate Rusty Farnsworth has advanced to the semis as well for the first time and isn't one bit surprised with what Workman has accomplished.

"Candace has been wrestling great this season, but we've always known she could wrestle. I think she proved it today when she came out and beat someone who she's had trouble with in the past. And she's only a junior."

Plenty of time to make more history. She'll start this afternoon when she faces Cedar's Dallas Gale in the semifinals. Workman beat Gale during the regular season.

Making history

Junior Candace Workman continues making history, first female to advance to the state semifinals.

Class 3A