Jan. 16, 2005: The Standard Examiner

Ripplinger's Crew Rolls to Victory: Box Elder High Wrestlers Capture Home Tourney
by Tony Renya

Box Elder is no stranger to state wrestling championships, but it's been four years since the Bees won their third straight state 4-A championship.

Fielding its strongest team since then, Box Elder looks to improve on a third-place finish at last year's tournament dominated by Spanish Fork. Box Elder will take eight Region 4 individual champions into the meet.

In the 5-A tournament, Region 1 and defending state 5-A champion Viewmont is the team to beat.

Weber, second-place finisher in each of the last three state tournaments, and Region 1 rival Davis will vie for the title, but they don't have the Vikings' depth.

It's almost a given that perennial power Wasatch will dominate the 3-A tournament, but Bear River, Ogden and Morgan should rack up enough points to make a respectable showing.

UVSC will host the tournament with 4-A and 5-A action beginning Wednesday and championship matches Friday. The 3-A tournament begins Thursday with championship matches on Saturday.