By Julie Johansen
In small communities, it is often said that everyone is related to everyone. In Emery County, that is true in a lot of instances, but it is rare and maybe even unheard of that a varsity wrestling team would have five sets of brothers. In choosing a wrestling team, there are no cuts or coaches’ choice, but rather wrestle-offs and weigh-ins every week for a spot on the varsity squad.
This year, the Emery High wrestling team varsity squad has five sets of brothers. The Mangums, Meccariellos, two Christiansen sets and the Daltons, and all but one of them are headed to the state competition.
Gage Mangum was injured earlier in the season and has not seen mat time, but his younger brother Drake wrestles at 126 pounds. They are the sons of Shawn and Shannon Mangum.
Bryar Meccariello, a junior wrestler at 145 pounds, and his older brother McKay, a senior wrestling at 152, are the sons of Matt and Melinda Meccariello.
Augustus (Gus) Dalton is a senior at 160 pounds and Hayes is a freshman at 170 pounds. They are the sons of Gratt and Corinne Dalton.
Senior Chase Christiansen wrestles at 138 pounds along with younger brother Jess at 106 pounds. They are the sons of Hugh and Kolene Christiansen.
Korby, a junior at 120 pounds, and Byron at 106 pounds are the sons of Kirk and Mistie Christiansen.
How would you like to be the grandparents of the four Christiansen boys sitting through four bouts at each match? There are more than eight cousins on the team, so it is “All In The Family” for Emery High wrestling.