Dec. 8, 2006: Deseret Morning News

Taylorsville, Cyprus Get Ready for Season
by Traver Brawley

TAYLORSVILLE — Mike Johnson has been the wrestling coach at Taylorsville High for 25 years and is in his 30th year of coaching.

He's has been at it so long and has coached so many great teams that his repertoire of wrestling moves is quite impressive. This year, Johnson will be sharing his expertise with 25 wrestlers and teaching them his moves and techniques.

"We're wrestling in a very tough region," said Johnson, "but I believe the team will be competitive in regionals and hope to have a good showing at the state match."

First up, however, will be a Johnson vs. Johnson faceoff, as Johnson's squad from Taylorsville wrestles against his son, Theros Johnson, the wrestling coach at Olympus. The two will meet at Hunter High today. Adding to the family reunion-type atmosphere is that both father and son will be coaching against Craig Stoffer's squad. Stoffer wrestled for Mike Johnson in his youth and is now the head coach at Hunter.

Taylorsville began practicing Nov. 21. Two of the team's stars from last year returned, Collin Backlund and C.J. Coggins. Backlund is a senior who wrestles in the 215-pound class and placed third in state last year. Coggins, a junior, wrestles at 112 pounds and placed fourth in state.

Cyprus

MAGNA — Eddie Berrest, the wrestling coach at Cyprus High, expects more kids to show up for the first day of wrestling practice than ever before.

Berrest expects nearly 40 students will try out. This is partly because Cyprus has begun to gain notice as a formidable force on the mat.

"We are being invited to all the bigger wrestling tournaments that in the past no one would even bother telling us about," Berrest said.

Wrestling is a team sport, whose athletes compete as individuals. Helping Cyprus achieve this new status are several dedicated wrestlers, such as Matt Brown, a 135-pound junior who placed second in nationals last year. In the past two years, Brown has won 76 matches and lost only twice. As a freshman, Brown won state.

Justin Dennis, a 171-pound junior, brings strength to the team as he placed sixth in state last year and expected to have a strong showing again this year.

Junior Thomas Kain has definitely been preparing for the upcoming season. For the past two years his partner in practice was two-time state champion Aarron Po-Wha. Kain now is the team's heavyweight and will be taking Po-Wha's spot.

Ethan Jones will be wrestling at 215 pounds. Jones placed sixth last year in state as a junior and is expected to do great things this year. Jones is not particularly noted for his athletic ability, however, what Jones brings to the mat is heart, determination and a stronger refuse-to-lose attitude.

The team's captains are junior Matt Brown and seniors Cody Kipp, Matt Gonzalez and Keith Willams.