Nov. 23, 2005: The Salt Lake Tribune

Viewmont Hopes for Third Title
by Peter Richins

Rich Winger was one of the key cogs in Viewmont's championship team from a season ago.

Every year, Viewmont's wrestling team is among the best in Class 5-A.

Just look at the record books. The Vikings have won the past two state championships, and three of the last four. Another state title this year, said senior Spencer Smoot, would be something special.

"If we won this year, it would be the start of a dynasty," Smoot said. "That would be pretty sweet if we won three in a row."

The road to a state championship could be bumpy this year. Of the 10 wrestlers that scored points for Viewmont in the state tournament last year, six have graduated. Among the graduates was three-time state champion Shay Lawrence.

"If you have multiple titles, you are going to be a target," Smoot said.

The Vikings have some bright spots still with the team. Smoot, Richard Winger and David Wiser form a core group of seniors that earned a lot of points last year.

Also, junior Travis Timothy placed at state as a sophomore.

Wiser has helped Viewmont earn two team championships, and was on the team his freshman year when the Vikings failed to win the title. The difference between his first year and the two title years, he said, was heart.

"It just depends on how much heart we have, and I think we have a lot," Wiser said. "Its about how hard we try and how hard we work."

At the state tournament last year, coach Bart Thompson caught a glimpse of the kind of team he would have.

"I was really pleased with the kids at the end of the year," Thompson said. "They came through and they beat people that they had lost to earlier in the year to put us in that position."

Still, with two championships on record, he was concerned the Vikings would get complacent. But that has not happened.

"In terms of how hard they are working in practice, they are really better than previous years," Thompson said. "I'm sensing they are willing to pay the price, and they understand a little bit more about what it takes than they did earlier on."

That understanding, Wiser said, is held by everyone on the team.

"You don't need a lot of studs," Wiser said. "You do need one or two, but really you need a lot of kids that step up. And I think we'll have a lot of kids come through."

Just having a Viewmont singlet on, Smoot said, is motivation enough for some wrestlers.

"It's comforting to know that every year we're wrestling, we're in competition for a title," Smoot said. "I get a good wrestling experience, because Viewmont's an awesome school."

The Vikings' biggest advantage, Wiser said, is the coach.

"It's not us, we have a good coach. He pushes us well, and he's a good motivational speaker," Wiser said.