Dec. 15, 2005: Deseret Morning News

Pin-Demonium — Utah Valley's Wrestlers Look to Make Their Moves
By Devon Black

The prep wrestling season is just a few weeks old in Utah Valley, and already there are indications that this could be a big year for the local teams. Most of the traditional powers are back in usual form, and a few of the other squads have a chance to put together landmark seasons.

There are a lot of experienced wrestlers back this year that could bring home at least a few individual championships, and both of the valley's regions look to be tightly contested.

The best team to keep an eye on as the season goes on might be Springville. After a good showing at the state tournament last season and a third-place finish in region, the Red Devils are the early favorites in Region 7 and have already made a little bit of history.

Springville beat neighboring rival Spanish Fork in a pre-season duel last month, notching its first win over the Dons in 26 years.

"We have a very tough team, especially in the lower weights," said Springville coach Justin Judkins. "We have four returning state placers, and two of those are state champs."

Kolby Bradley (103 pounds) and Jason Chamberlain (112) are the top returners for the Red Devils after winning state last year. Both wrestlers took first-place at a pre-season tournament in Layton that featured three of last year's state championship teams and should be looking to repeat as champions in February.

Springville could struggle with depth in the state tournament and will run into some tough teams in region as well.

"Payson and Orem will be tough, and Provo has a couple of good kids," said Judkins.

Provo will feature twin brothers Michael (130) and Nathaniel Holt (145), who are back after strong state performances last year. Nathaniel won his weight class while Michael finished second. Both Holt brothers are expected to compete for state championships again.

Provo has already lost one of its wrestlers to a football injury, and the Bulldogs will rely on young wrestlers like David Ojuka (160) and John Libutti (171) to step up and perform well.

"We have a few spots we can't fill with one of our smallest squads in years," said Provo coach Brian Preece. "We're hopeful some of our young wrestlers can advance to the next level."

Payson lost some faces from last year's team that finished second in region and had three individual state champions. But the school should also be in the mix for the region title along with Orem.

Lehi was hit hard by graduation last year and will probably struggle with a younger squad, as should Timpview.

Region 4 looks like the most wide-open region with Lone Peak, Spanish Fork and last year's Region 7 champion Pleasant Grove all fighting for first place.

Pleasant Grove is expected to have some drop-off from its region championship teams the last two seasons, but it still looks loaded.

Mitch Sanderson (171) returns for his junior season after taking state last year. Seniors Gehrhart Vucksinick (160) and Jacob Woodhouse (145) placed second and third in state respectively last season and will be the leaders this season for the Vikings, who return eight other state qualifiers.

"The young team needs improvement," said Pleasant Grove coach Brocke Moore. "We don't have a 215-pound wrestler this year."

Lone Peak has a talented sophomore in Blake Mangum (125), who finished fifth in state last year and has already received national attention. Thomas Lamb (130) finished second last year and is the early favorite to win his weight class this season, and Sterling Coons (275) is one of the state's top heavyweights. The Knights won easily in two early duels against Provo and Orem to set the stage for their run at the region championship.

"We hope to finish top five in state and win region," said Lone Peak coach Lyle Mangum. "We have a lot of good, young kids that have some varsity experience."

At Spanish Fork, David Clarke has taken over coaching duties from long-time coach Layne Shepherd and will try to win the new 5A region after having some dominant teams in 4A the past few years.

Mountain View will likely have more freshmen on its varsity lineup then seniors, but it hopes to compete for placing after the stronger teams.

"Mountain View is a very young wrestling team," said Bruins coach Robert Stoddard. "We'll probably have three freshmen that contribute on varsity, and we'll only have two seniors. We hope to be able to compete for fourth and fifth."

Bryce Florea (112) and Jesse Fisher (215) are two of the top returners for the Bruins.

American Fork will most likely be fighting the Bruins for fourth place.

Timpanogos should be much tougher then last season and could make some noise in the region tournament.

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Utah Valley's top 10 wrestlers

Bo Beckman (112), Timpanogos
Kolby Bradley (103), Springville
Jason Chamberlain (112), Springville
Michael Holt (130), Provo
Nathaniel Holt (145), Provo
Thomas Lamb (130), Lone Peak
Blake Mangum (125), Lone Peak
Tag Miller (125), Payson
Mitch Sanderson (171), Pleasant Grove
Gehrhart Vucksinick (160), Pleasant Grove