Meet Analy wrestling coach Patrick Utter
SEBASTOPOL, Calif. — Coach Patrick Utter is excited to bring his expertise to rebuilding a strong Analy wrestling program. He is committed to creating stability with the coaching staff, teaching needed skills to his wrestlers, and enlisting more interest in this sport.
The third Analy wrestling coach in as many years, Patrick Utter grew up in Oregon where he was introduced to the sport of wrestling at an early age. He wrestled all through high school and was recruited by Clackamas Community College, near Portland. While there, his team came in second in the Junior College Nationals.
Following his two years at the junior college, he transferred to Oregon State for one year where he red-shirted (practicing with the team, but not competing to save a year of college eligibility.) The next year he transferred to Portland State University to complete his final two years of eligibility where his team won the Division II team championship both years. In 1999, his team was inducted into the Portland State University Hall of Fame.
Following college graduation, with a degree in Administrative Justice, he moved to the Bay area where his fiancé had a job opportunity. Working with the Public Safety Department in Sunnyvale until his retirement in 2016, he and his wife, Shannon, raised four children. Following his retirement, the family moved to Santa Rosa where his children attended Maria Carrillo and Cardinal Newman High Schools. The family lost their home in the Fountaingrove fires, and they decided to move to the Sebastopol area.
In Sonoma County, Coach Utter coached at Rincon Valley Middle School and then was Assistant Coach at Cardinal Newman High School where his son participated on the team. Even after his son’s graduation, Coach Utter stayed at Cardinal Newman to finish coaching their first female wrestler. Following her graduation, he thought he would retire from coaching.
Not long after that, Analy hired a new Vice Principal, Mr. Ricky Alcala. Mr. Alcala formerly worked at Cardinal Newman High School and knew of Coach Utter’s expertise and availability. When a new wrestling coach was needed at Analy, he knew right away who to contact.
Analy participates in the North Bay League Redwood Division with duel meets against Montgomery, Piner, Santa Rosa, Saint Vincent De Paul, and Rancho Cotate. Assisting Coach Utter this year are Ryan Berger and Mike Riccoli.
This year’s team has only two seniors, Alden Day (182 lbs.) and Jordan Niel (145 lbs.) The team is made up of many underclassmen, juniors: Mason Niel (195 lbs.), Trent Montiel (160 lbs.), Braeden Tooey (132 lbs.), sophomores: Eddie Espinal (152 lbs.), Jake Anderson (160 lbs.), Ilex Blunt (heavyweight), and freshmen: Ryan Green (182 lbs.), Austin Karloginnis (122 lbs.), Chris Linderman (122 lbs.), Ezra Day (145lbs.), and Zane Symmonds (106 lbs.). Miranda Hernandez is the only girl (126 lbs.). Besides being a young team, Coach Utter says, “We have just four returning athletes, Jordan Niel, Trent Montiel, Eddie Espinal, and Braeden Tooey. This is a number I hope we can increase in our program.”
When speaking about senior Jordan Niel, Coach Utter says, “He is a very talented athlete who has battled injury over the last four years. Jordan was a league champion his freshman year. He is a future firefighter and the clear senior leader of this team and my best wrestler.” Asked about other wrestlers, Coach Utter answers, “Trenton Montiel is a returning junior with a lot of talent and a bright future. He has the capability to advance through North Coast Section and on to the state tournament. Eddie Espinal is a raw talented returning wrestler who is accomplished as a football player, as well. Braedon Tooey is another returning junior wrestler with a lot of potential to advance far into North Coast Section and possible to the state tournament.”
Coach Utter believes that there are three major components to his program. He teaches the importance of proper nutrition and weight management. He emphasizes the “student” in “student-athlete.” If wrestlers are having difficulty in classes, he expects them to bring their books to practice where tutorial tables are set up to assist them. He knows the importance of teaching and learning the necessary skills of wrestling for success and safety.
When this school season is finished Coach Utter has plans for his wrestlers to keep improving their skills by participating in spring wrestling tournaments. During the summer he hopes to send wrestlers to several wrestling camps throughout the state.
The Analy wrestling program seems to be on the right road for success. Coach Utter is committed to the program and to the success of his wrestlers both on and off the mat.
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