Young Boxer Brings Home National Title

James L. Davis

The Collard brothers know a thing or two about taking one on the chin. They also know a thing or two about giving one to the chin and they prefer to former to the latter.

Of course, in the world of a boxer, it is always better to give than receive. So when Chad Collard, 9, Cezley Collard, 11, and Clay Collard, 14, step into the ring they do so intending to give more to their opponent than they receive and for the most part they succeed.

Although the three brothers from Castle Dale are young they have some experience under their belt in boxing. All have been boxing for the Price Elks Boxing Club for almost four years and have been in enough USA Boxing sanctioned fights that they were eligible to compete in the USA Boxing Junior Golden Gloves National Championships in Mesquite, Nev., July 27. To compete in the championships fighters must have at least 10 bouts under their belt.

The sons of Chris and Marilyn Collard, the young fighters went to Mesquite ready to rumble and one of the brothers came home with a national championship belt around his waist.

Chad Collard, fighting in the 55 pound weight class, proudly wears the national championship belt in his division after besting Jose Guarra in the finals. While the championship belts narrowly escaped the grasp of his brothers, they didn’t fight too badly either. Cezly, in the 65 pound weight class, won his semi-final bout by technical knockout but lost by a decision in the finals and older brother Clay, battling in a tough 114 pound weight class, lost in the semi-final round.

“They love to box,” said Marilyn Collard of her boys. “They’ve been wrestling since preschool and this was something new. It helps keep them in shape to stay healthy.”

The Collard brothers fight in the Elks boxing club with 10 other fighters and are coached by Mark Montoya and Mitch Hadden.

Going toe-to-toe against another fighter takes a bit of grit and the Collard brothers are enthusiastic about their sport and dedicated to being the best they can be. Normally the boys practice two or three times a week to stay in shape, but when preparing for a fight they hit the gym five days a week to hone their skills.

When boxing, the bouts are limited to three rounds and each round is two minutes for ages 16 and over, a minute and a half for ages 13-16 and one minute for ages 9-12.

While the Collard boxers are committed to their sport, their mom says they know the skill they have learned in the ring comes with responsibility.

“If I ever saw them use their boxing for anything other than defense, then they would be done,” she said. And the boxing brothers don’t want to be done.

The Price Elks Boxing Club will host a boxing match on Sept. 8 where young local boxers can show off their skills for their fans. For more information call the Elks Club at 435-637-1550.

Fair Exhibits Draw Talented From Throughout the County

During the Emery County Fair Aug. 1-4 some of the work of the county’s most talented was on display at the recreation center as exhibits in everything from canning to fine arts were judged.

According to Michelle Scovill, chairperson for the fair exhibits, there was a good variety of quality exhibits entered in this year’s fair demonstrating some of the incredible talent that can be found in the county.

Exhibit winners, by category, include:
Canning, Best of Division (Adult): Dawnette Tuttle;
Canning, Best of Division (Junior): Jacob Tuttle;
Baking, Best of Divison (Senior): Robert Swinburne;
Baking, Best of Division (Adult): Dawnette Tuttle;
Baking, Best of Division (Junior): Triston Tuttle;
Baking, Judges Choice: Triston Tuttle;
Baking, People’s Choice: Unita Grange;
Baking, People’s Choice: Dixon Peacock;
Agriculture, Best of Division (Adult): Chris Dunham;
Agriculture, Best of Division (Youth): Jacob Tuttle;
Agriculture, Best of Division (Senior): Robert Swinburne;
Agriculture, Best of Division (Senior): Unita Grange.
Floriculture, Best of Division: Kolene Gilbert;
Floriculture, Judge’s Choice: Dixon Peacock.
Home Arts, Best Machine Quilting: Hazel McMullin;
Home Arts, Best Piecing Quilt: Marie Eardley;
Home Arts, Best Hand Quilting: Marie Eardley;
Home Arts, Best Crocheting: Margaret Jones;
Home Arts, Judge’s Choice: Patsy Johansen.
Junior High Art Exhibit Recognition Awards:
Ethan Brown, Taylor Ockey, Adrie Huntington, Sabrina Wood, Tyler Cox, Shadayah Jones, Gabe Mortisen, Brayden Bolotas, Jake Sehestedt;
Junior High Art Exhibit Best of Division:
Jace Bird, Bryson Weaver, Keyana Elliott;
Junior High Art Exhibit Judge’s Choice: Meka McFarlane.
Photography, Best of Division (Advanced Amateur): Juanita McEvoy;
Photography (Junior Flowers): Stan Mathis;
Photography (Adult Flowers): Mari Peacock;
Photography (Young Adult People): Savannah Winn;
Photography, Judge’s Choice: Andy Sorensen;
Photography, People’s Choice: Melanie Bernard.
Fine Arts, Best of Division (Senior) Ann Fillmore;
Fine Arts (Adult): Kelly Nelson and Sharron Pollahne;
Fine Arts (Junior) Rheyanne Allred;
Fine Arts, Judge’s Choice: Janelle Urie.
Creative Arts (Senior): Mark Williams;
Creative Arts (Adult): Val Mastin;
Creative Arts (Junior): Justin Bernard;
Creative Arts, Judge’s Choice: Dixon Peacock.