Jan. 4, 2005: Deseret Morning News

Wrestling's 'Welcome' Mat: All-Star Prep Event and Fundraiser Benefits New UVSC Program
By Michael Black

OREM — The Utah Amateur wrestling Foundation will hold its annual All-Star wrestling fund-raiser tomorrow at 7 p.m. at Utah Valley State College's McKay Events Center.

The rewards of the event come in many different parts.

For the wrestling fan, the event is a chance to see some of the state's best grapplers in action; an opportunity to watch a nationally recognized Cyler Sanderson or Dallin Norton of Wasatch. One can get first-hand experience seeing the quickness of a two-time state champion in Shay Lawrence of Viewmont or Tyson Thompson of Lehi.

Just viewing the abilities of the best wrestlers is a one-time-a-year chance.

For the small-community fans, it is the time to see how the smaller schools' top athletes measure up against the bigger schools' best. The 5A-4A team takes on the 3A-2A-1A squad in a points competitions almost like a dual meet.

But as Ross Brunson, one of the lead supporters of the event has said, "the goal of the Utah Amateur wrestling Foundation has been to increase opportunities for the sport of wrestling."

The main method that the All-Star matches have done this is at the ticket office. All proceeds for the event go toward UVSC wrestling —— a new wrestling program that began last year; the first new program started in over 30 years at the collegiate level. It was because of the UAWF's promise to contribute financially that UVSC was able to begin its program, and thus new opportunities were created for Utah wrestlers.