Dec. 21, 2005: The Salt Lake Tribune

Three Utahns Reach Championship Matches at Reno Tournament

RENO, Nev. — Three Utahns advanced to championship matches Tuesday at the Reno Tournament of Champions wrestling tournament, billed as the toughest high school wrestling tournament in the country.

Results of how they fared in the finals were not available at press time, and final team scores were not available. However, the Wasatch Wasps, who placed second last year, were in contention for the team title heading into the last few rounds.

Individually, Provo's Nathan Holt (145 pounds), Brighton's Talan Knox (160) and Wasatch's Carson Brown (171) made it to the championship matches in their respective divisions, meaning three of the 14 final bouts included Utahns. Knox and Holt won state titles last February, while Brown was second.

Also Tuesday, Lehi's Matt Spencer advanced to the semifinals at 103 before losing 22-8 to Jordan Oliver of Easton, Pa.

At 119, Wasatch's Casey Smith won three matches before falling in the quarterfinals to Joey Boone of Poway, Calif. And at 140, Wasatch's Jake Salazar, a sophomore, won three matches before losing in the quarterfinals to Jesse Snider of Ponderosa, Colo.