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November 2003: Wrestling USA
Magazine
Wasatch Wrestling Pair Top List of
Utahns in National Junior Rankings
Wrestling USA Magazine published a
national ranking of high-school junior wrestlers in a
recent issue. Top ranked of the 10 Utahns included in the
list were Cyler Sanderson and Dallin Norton, both from
Wasatch High School, both ranked no. 4 in the nation --
Sanderson at 130 lbs., Norton at 275 lbs.
Sanderson, brother of wrestling phenom Cael Sanderson (who
just took silver at the World Championships), took state
last year while at Timpanogos High, was also crowned
champion at the Rocky Mountain Nationals last spring in
Greco-Roman and Western Regionals in Greco-Roman.
Norton, a Utah state champion (folkstyle), was also
crowned champion at the Rocky Mountain Nationals last
spring in both Greco-Roman and freestyle.
The list was compiled by Dan Fickel, National Editor for
the magazine, based on six criteria: 1) accomplishments at
state high-school championships (folkstyle); 2) National
Junior freestyle and Greco-Roman success; 3) Cadet
National freestyle and Greco-Roman success; 4) performance
at prestigious high-school tournaments; 5) information
from coaches and parents; and 6) the state from which the
nominee hails.
Utah wrestlers appeared in the rankings in eight of the 13
weight classes.
Other standouts include Tyson Thompson of Lehi, ranked no.
9 at 140 lbs.; Angelo Gallegos of Ogden, ranked no. 18 at
112 lbs.; Kelly Kelsey of Payson, ranked no. 25 at 140
lbs.; Shay Lawrence of Viewmont, ranked no. 28 at 119
lbs.; Michael Watts of Riverton, 103 lbs., Trevor Mellon
of Payson, Jake Woolstenhume of South Summit, 125 lbs.,
and Phillip Keddy of Uintah, 145 lbs., all three ranked
no. 30.
Bill Kilpack, Utah Editor for Wrestling USA Magazine,
had chosen Watts as the preseason pick for the state's
most outstanding junior wrestler. He said, "Watts is very
fast and his technique is sharp, but the thing that's most
impressive is his physical strength. He's one of the most
powerful 103-pounders I can remember."
Of all the high schools represented by wrestlers in the
national rankings, Wasatch and Payson had two juniors
listed, followed by Lehi, Ogden, Riverton, South Summit,
Uintah and Viewmont, each with one on the list.
Kilpack said, "It's no surprise Wasatch is so well
represented. I'm pleasantly surprised with Payson's two
preseason ranks." His preseason picks for the top four
high-school wrestling teams in Utah included Wasatch
(defending 2A champions), as well as Timpanogos, Fremont
(defending 5A state champions) and Millard (defending 3A
state champions in one of the biggest team wins in recent
memory). "I'm a bit surprised to see no one from Fremont
and Millard listed."
He predicted that Wasatch will repeat as 3A state
champion, followed by Lehi and North Sanpete.
Others of Kilpack's Utah preseason picks included senior
Luke Lofthouse of Mountain Crest as the state's most
outstanding wrestler; and Jake Swensen of North Sanpete as
most outstanding sophomore. Two wrestlers Kilpack noted as
ones to watch were Brighton sophomore Talan Knox and
Taylorsville junior Josh Nufrio.
Wrestling USA Magazine has been the voice of
national high school wrestling since 1965. For more
information, see
www.wrestlingusa.com.
Kilpack is a past AAU national champion, a seven-time
national silver medalist, an AAU All-American, and earned
an alternate position on the U.S. Pan-Am Team in
Greco-Roman. He coaches an independent freestyle and
Greco-Roman wrestling program through Salt Lake County
Parks and Recreation, Jordan Freestyle Wrestling. For more
information about the program, go to
http://members.aol.com/jordanfreestyle/.
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