Dec. 5, 2006: Deseret Morning News

Taylorsville, Cyprus Get Ready for Season
by Traver Brawley

It is that time of year when the hustle, jostling for position, trying to stay balanced and looking for the next big score are happening. No, not the shopping going on at the mall; the high school wrestling season is here. The grapplers have started with the big pre-Christmas tournaments, and already individuals and teams are working toward taking home a title come February. Here is what to expect this season as the wrestlers toe the line.

CLASS 5A

Is it the year that someone knocks off the three-time defending champions from Viewmont? Each year it seems there is a team that is expected to dethrone the Vikings, but each year that team fails and the Vikings remain on top.

They may not get the most individual champions, but the team as a whole steps up and gets the important points in the consolation bracket. Every wrestler finds the state tournament as the time to peak and win a match or two to pick up even a couple of points.

"We preach it with our team how important it is to improve all year and be wrestling your best at the end," said Viewmont coach Bart Thompson. "We seem to get points from pretty much every person we send to state, and it is those back-door points that have won us the title."

As in years past, Viewmont relies on its experienced wrestlers to lead the way. Nate Larsen is a returning individual champion and an unquestioned leader for the squad.

"He does whatever it takes to keep improving," Thompson said of the 112-pound grappler. "You would think that as a returning champion he may have come in a little complacent, but he has worked twice as hard in the offseason, and he is 100 percent better now than he was even when he ended last year. He is a hard worker and has all the intangibles in a wrestler that you just can't coach."

Along with Larsen, the Vikings have a good group that is expected to lead.

Jesse Farnsworth, Taira Abe, Casey Smoot, Travis Timothy and Stephen Platt are all capable of winning duals and moving along to place come region tournament time and at state.

While Viewmont remains the champion until someone knocks it off, Weber is the team that is favored to do just that. The Warriors return nearly most of the varsity wrestlers from last season, and that is saying plenty considering they were the runners-up to Viewmont and lost out by only 10.5 points.

"Weber is going to be very tough," said Thompson. "They have got to be the favorites with what they have returning."

The Warriors are led by three-time state champion Shay Warren who is looking to join an exclusive club in four-time champions, but along with Warren, Thompson said, "They really don't have any major holes. They are strong top-to- bottom."

Region 1 is the dominant region in wrestling. Davis and Northridge will push the other two teams on the top. It would be a surprise if a team from outside the region won the state title, but Alta, Brighton and Bingham all have the depth and talent to push for a top-five finish.

CLASS 4A

The defending champions from Mountain Crest lost most of the wrestlers that scored points in its state title, but still have some talented state-placers returning.
Jake Morrill was third last year and looks improved early. Jarrett Morrill was a perfect 43-0 last year including a state championship. His coach Davie Swensen called him, "One of the toughest competitors I have ever seen."

Zeke Smethurst was third last year as well and is looking to improve upon that, and the Mustangs have one of the most exciting wrestlers in the state. Ethan Lofthouse has the name and pedigree to accomplish some amazing feats this year.

He won a state title last season as a freshman and has been ranked as high as No. 3 in the nation at 152 pounds.

The team returns 11 wrestlers that qualified for state last year, and with the excitement and commitment that exists with Mountain Crest wrestling, it wouldn't be a stretch to see a repeat.

"We have many unproven wrestlers that are anxious to step in and prove themselves," said Swensen. "If we live up to potential, it promises to be an interesting season."

This classification may be the most wide open of any. Many teams look poised to make a move and perhaps capture a title, or at least improve on last year's position. Box Elder is always tough, especially at the upper weights. Orem returns seven wrestlers that qualified for state last season, and Murray looks improved from its sixth-place finish of last year.

"I believe we will contend for the region title this season," said Spartans coach Todd Thompson. "If some of our freshmen step up, I believe we can be a top-five team."

CLASS 3A

This classification is best described in one word — Wasatch. The Wasps have won the last four titles and six of the past seven. There was a little turmoil in the fall for the team as the coach of the past two seasons, Ben VomBaur, departed, but there was little reason to fret for the team as Steve Sanderson stepped into the role.

The Wasps won the Layton Invitational over the weekend, proving once again that they are not only the class of 3A but probably the state as well. The win was not as dominating a performance as the team would like, but Sanderson feels they are on track.

"We obviously need to make some adjustments, but right now I think we're right about where we need to be," he said.

Jake Salazar is a six-time All-American and defending state champion. Shayne Bonner won a title last season and Ethan Smith and Casey Smith both are back after finishing second. With the depth of the Wasatch program, even if another team can match it at the top, it will be tough for another squad to catch the Wasps.

Since 1989, only two other teams have won a title other than Wasatch. Uintah and Delta continue to have strong teams and will be contenders come February.

CLASS 2A

Millard is the team to beat in this classification. The Eagles are the defending champions and have won seven of the last nine. They return four state champions in Mason Stott, Kyle Tuttle, Wade Eldredge — who won at 1A's Monticello — and TJ Robbins, but the list of other state-placers is long.

Osten Rasmussen, Tanner Roberts, Rayce Christensen, Dustin Nielson, Quincy Thatcher, Brady Robbins, Cade Hunter, Scott Whitaker and Sergio Pedroza all return looking to improve upon last season's top-six finish.

Should Millard stumble, Juab is right there to jump on its opportunity, and don't count out South Summit. The Wildcats return six state-placers and could make a move.

"We return 11 seniors with some strong juniors, sophomores and freshmen," said coach Gary Crandall. "We should be two or three deep with lots of experience. We hope to finish in the top-three teams again."

CLASS 1A

Wayne has won three of the past four state tournaments, and there is no way the Badgers can be overlooked again. Each year another team such as Rich or Altamont enters as the preseason favorite, and when it comes to crunch time, Wayne flat-out knows how to win and gets it done. Until another team proves it, the Badgers are the team to beat.