OREM — Danner Kjar sat at the first two tournaments of the year and watched as other wrestlers earned medals.

The Viewmont junior didn’t place at the Layton or Viewmont tournaments, and it was not sitting well with him.

“I just decided I needed to get mentally tougher and wrestle better,” Kjar said.

The second half of the season Kjar became unstoppable and in doing so followed in his brothers’ footsteps by winning the state 5A tournament in dramatic fashion over Clint Jacob of Pleasant Grove, 2-1.

Trailing 1-0 with 10 seconds remaining in his final, Kjar earned a takedown and rode the wily Jacob out to win the title at 145.

“I had set the goal to be a state champion and now I want another one,” Kjar said. “When I got that take down I knew I have to hang on for 10 seconds and it seemed to take forever.

“I am real happy that I have been able to work with my brothers. They have helped me reach this goal, like my coaches and teammates.”

“I know I’ll have a target on my back next year,” Kjar said. “That’s fine.”

sschulte@davisclipper.com