Dec. 13, 2005: Deseret Morning News

Quest-ions? Can Viewmont 3-Peat? Is Wasatch Back?
By Michael Black

It is time again for the unique aspect of an individual sport tying into a team aspect. Yes, wrestling is here, and there are many interesting stories to watch for this season. How many individuals will repeat as champions? Can Wasatch maintain its dominance? Can Viewmont take a third-consecutive title, and how will the new alignments affect the classifications?

CLASS 5A

Viewmont has taken the last two titles, and three of the last four. What's its secret?

"We have a good junior high program," said the Vikings' 152-pound wrestler, David Wiser. "The coaches at that level get us ready so that when you are a freshman you are ready to contribute. Plus, we have coach (Bart) Thompson and he really helps us. He knows how to teach you and motivate you so that we always have a chance to win."

The Vikings won the title last year with only one individual champion. The overall team depth is what makes Viewmont a contender again this year.

"We are similar in the depth that we had last year," said Thompson. "We still don't have the just dominating individuals. That is not to say we might not have anyone win it, but we don't have a two- or three-time champion to count on, but we may even be stronger top to bottom."

As much as Viewmont knows how to win, it is not even favored to win its own region. That designation is for Weber. With Shay Warren and Jorge Lopez, the Warriors have a pair of returning state champions, but with overall depth and with returning state-placers such as Aaron Ross and Nate Hubbard, Weber will be in the hunt for a state title.

Brighton's Talon Knox is a returning state champion, and with the emergence of K.C. Nate as a No. 1 contender and better overall team depth, Brighton will fight Alta for the Region 2 crown and a possible top-five showing at state.

Bingham has the only returning champion in Region 3 in Mitch Moss, but the Miners still have some other returning placers. According to coach Russ Paulsen, the team could be a contender.

"We have a few wrestlers that could make some noise," he said. "If some of our younger guys step up and continue to develop we could get enough guys through the region meet to do some damage at state."

The relative unknown will be how the new Region 4 schools will match up in 5A. Pleasant Grove is a favorite from Utah County, and the Vikings have the depth and individuals to improve upon their second-place finish in 4A last year. Mitch Sanderson, Gehrhart Vuksinik, Keola Goodman, Jacob Woodhouse and Grant Gagon are all back after placing last season. The Vikings will be pushed in the region by Lone Peak and Spanish Fork.

CLASS 4A

No individual has higher expectations this season than Springville's Jason Chamberlain.

"I expect to repeat as champion and this year I want to go undefeated," he said.

The two goals are lofty certainly, but definitely achievable for the returning state champion. Chamberlain's record last year had just one blemish at 38-1, the one loss coming at the hands of Wasatch's Casey Smith at the Layton Invitational. This year he took care of Smith at Layton in a 6-0 decision.

"I wanted to go undefeated last year," said Chamberlain after his win over Smith. "But I lost early to him and it was frustrating so this feels extra good. Now I just need to keep improving and hopefully I can win at Reno and at state."

With Chamberlain leading the way, the Red Devils expect to contend for the 4A title. Besides Chamberlain's individual championship, Kolby Bradley is back after winning an individual title, and state-placers Logan Wilson and Jacob Rawle round out some strong returning wrestlers.

"We have a young team but they all have some good experience," said Springville coach Justin Judkins. "We are excited about the season, and in addition to our returning placers we have several seniors that I expect will place high at the state tournament."

With the move to 5A of Pleasant Grove and Spanish Fork, both top-five teams last year in 4A, the classification is wide open. Defending champion Box Elder has a strong program that continues to churn out both great individuals and team results. The Bees are at or near the top of the classification. Tyler Rackham, Rhett Robinson and Riley Yeates will lead the charge to a repeat performance in the state tournament.

Mountain Crest has some impressive individuals once again with 103-pound Jarrett Morill already having demonstrated the ability to win tournaments. If the younger wrestlers improve during the season to add depth, the Mustangs can again look for a top-six performance.

Besides Springville, Provo, Orem and Payson will have a competitive region that may toughen up the squads for a run come February.

CLASS 3A

When will the cupboard be bare for Wasatch? As the Wasps continue to reload rather than rebuild, it certainly will not be this year. With wrestlers such as Casey Smith, Jake Salazar, Carson Brown and Ethan Smith, Wasatch has the potential to post unbelievable numbers once again at the state competition.

"I am lucky to be in the situation that I am," said Wasatch coach Ben VomBaur. "It is a great wrestling community and there is a good youth program that gets the boys ready to compete as soon as they are freshmen . . . Sure there is pressure to perform here, but I kind of always thrived on pressure and I know some of the boys do too."

Although Wasatch did lose its three state champions from last year, the team is confident that wrestlers will step in to fill those spots.

"I think we should have four or five state champs this year at least," said Salazar. Smith felt that number was too conservative: "I think we will get seven this year. We have such a proud tradition that we have to step up and deliver."

With Wasatch a clear favorite, there are several teams that will compete just below. Delta comes in as the second-ranked team, and the Rabbits are well represented in the rankings. Jared Sheppard, John Kunzer, Dustin Peterson, Todd Christiansen and Trent Steele are all in the top three at their respective weight classifications. With depth like that, Delta could be tough.

"We all know just how good Wasatch is," said Pine View coach Vance Casperson, "but I think that Delta could be very, very good. I am sure they will hold their own in quite a few tournaments."

Along with Delta, several other teams have a chance at contending including Uintah, Bear River, Morgan, Hurricane and Dixie.

CLASS 2A

There is a new king on top, and everyone would like to knock him off. Juab took the crown last season and enters this year with a target on its back.

Luckily for Juab, it has the grapplers necessary to defend its title. With Tyson Ashworth, Wyat Ingram, Tyson Rynoso and Jake Revoir all ranked either first or second in their weight classes, Juab has not only some strong depth — it is tied with Millard and South Summit with 11 wrestlers ranked in the top six — but also have the potential to win individual titles as well as the team competition.

Millard is looking to take back what it feels it owns — the title. The Eagles had been on top of the classification for so long that losing is a new experience and they don't like it. Tanner Teeples, Mason Stott, Rayce Christensen, Mark Pentz, Quincy Thatcher and T.J. Robins have the Eagles believing that the first-place trophy will be returning to Millard this year.

If Juab or Millard falter, South Summit is there to take over.

"We are still a young team," said coach Gary Crandall. "However, we have many incoming freshmen that were top placers at the younger age. We should get good leadership from our four seniors and we hope to be in the top three or four teams this year."

CLASS 1A

Altamont has so much depth that the Longhorns are favored to take home the title.

"They just get so many wrestlers qualified, and they are good wrestlers, that it will be hard to beat them," said Rich coach Rick Larsen. "Of course Wayne always seems to step it up in the tournament."

Altamont and Wayne should again battle for the title, but newcomer Monticello could put a different spin on things.

"We have some really good individuals, but we lack some depth," said Monticello coach Kent Adair. "I am interested to see where we fit in 1A after dropping from 2A."

Monticello could take home a few individual titles if Wade Eldredge, Aaron Butler, Kreig Adair and Kalob Butler all wrestle to their form of last season.