Dec. 29, 2004: The Salt Lake Tribune

Local Sports: All-Star Classic Matches Pit Top Wrestling Talent

Next week's 2005 Utah All-Star Wrestling Classic will feature intense rivalries, standout athletes and more than a few close matches.

The Utah Amateur Wrestling Foundation on Tuesday released its matchups for the fifth annual event at Utah Valley State College's McKay Events Center. The dual-meet format event — Jan. 5 at 7 p.m. — pits a team of stars from the 5-A and 4-A schools against a team of standouts from 3-A, 2-A and 1-A.

For the second year, the competition will include 16 bouts. Two matches will take place in the 135-pound weight class, as well as two at 152. Viewmont's Shay Lawrence will wrestle Ogden's Zack Mau and Bountiful's Cam George will wrestle Uintah's Czyz Woody at 135. At 152, Payson's Kelly Kelsey will face Lehi's Tyson Thompson and Box Elder's John Johnson will face North Sevier's Colton Camp.

Utah standouts competing in the event include Wasatch's Cyler Sanderson and Dallin Norton, both of whom won championships at the recent Reno Tournament of Champions. Uintah's Phillip Keddy also has seen significant success at national tournaments this year.

Rivalry matches will take place at heavyweight when Norton takes on West Jordan's Rio Stottler, at 160 when Talan Knox faces Jordan Smith, and at 119 when Spanish Fork's Jason Warner squares off against Wasatch's Shayne Bonner.
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