Dec. 15, 2006: Deseret Morning News

Region 1 Could See a Pair of 4-Time Champions
by Michael Black

It is rare company indeed. Only 15 times in Utah high school wrestling has a grappler been a four-time champion. Fifteen times out of all the classifications and weight classes has a wrestler been able to win every match at the state tournament and walk away with a title four times.

How rare is it, then, that Region 1 has a very realistic shot to add two more names to that list in one year? Shay Warren of Weber and Sean Porter of Davis are both ranked No. 1 in their respective weight classes and are returning three-time state champions.

"It is an amazing accomplishment," said Jake Swensen of North Sanpete after he became No. 15 on the list to do so. "It really caps off four hard years of work and giving everything you've got all the time."

Both wrestlers have an amazing amount of similarities besides going for a fourth title. They are both two-time participants in the All-Star Duals that take place each year at Utah Valley State College and feature only the best wrestlers at a particular weight class— both are expected to be named to the All-Star once again when the wrestlers are announced at the end of the month for the Jan. 9 event. And both have a family history involved with wrestling.

Jody Warren, Shay's father, and Alan Porter, Sean's father, are the wrestling coaches at Weber and Davis high schools. The two coaches were both accomplished wrestlers themselves and have passed the tradition and passion for the sport down to their children.

"I love it," said Porter of wrestling after a match last year. "You work so hard, and when you win, it is all worth it. When you lose, you get back to work and do a little more to try to fix whatever it was that went wrong. It is so rewarding that way."

It is not very often that either has to try to correct things, as a loss is a rare thing with these two champions. Not only are both technically amazing wrestlers, but both have the right mental approach and hard work necessary to go for a fourth crown.

Sean Porter "I try not to think about it," Warren said of the pressure of being a defending champion. "I really try to just go out and wrestle my best every single match and forget about the pressure."

Although the duo will not wrestle against each other because of their respective weight classes, both are expected to anchor solid teams. Here's how their teams and the rest of Region 1 stack up:

WEBER: The Warriors are stacked. After coming off a runner-up finish last season in which they lost out to Viewmont by only 10 points, the Warriors have plenty of returning wrestlers to be the favorites to not only win the region but the state title as well.

Weber has by far the most team members ranked in the top six right now. Bracken Nipko, Derrick Malan, Chase Gardner, Warren, Brady Layton, Aaron Ross, Logan Hubbard, Lee Woolsley, Kade Hall, Dustin Martin, Bryson Wandling and Jaden Briskey are all ranked with Warren, Ross, Woolsley and Hall all No. 1 currently. It is the Warriors' title to win or lose.

VIEWMONT: It is still the Vikings' state title until someone takes it from them. The three-time defending champions surprised nearly everyone at the Layton Invitational by taking second behind Wasatch — Weber was not a participant at the meet — and are ranked right behind the Warriors in both the region and the state.

"We have a great core of guys that are working really hard to improve," said coach Bart Thompson.
The Vikings are led by returning state champion Nate Larsen, who Thompson said is not only a very hard worker, but, "He has all the intangibles that you can't coach in a wrestler."

Shay Warren is ranked No. 1 in his weight class. Along with Larsen, Jesse Farnsworth, Taira Abe, Casey Smoot, Travis Timothy and Stephen Platt are all expected to contribute. Mike Winger, Eric Call, Sam Graham and Nate Holgreen are also ranked wrestlers that have surprised people early this season.

DAVIS: The Darts are not a one-man team. Porter is certainly looked on to lead the way, but Zak Baker, Braiden Hart, Josh Baker, Ben Lynch, Austin Taylor and Tom Arnone are all ranked in the top six and could not only give the team points, but could be looking for individual accomplishments along the way.
"I hate when people hear about Davis wrestling and all they think about is Sean," said Alan Porter last season. "We are a team of wrestlers and we have some guys that can get it done."

NORTHRIDGE: The Knights are young, but they have some talented grapplers ready to make a name for themselves. Mike Baker leads the way as a returning state champion at 215 pounds and is the top-ranked wrestler at his weight. Colton Bench is in the rankings as well, but coach Troy Brown also expects big things from Garrett Bybe as well as Jake and Josh Jones.

"We will be solid," said Brown. "We are going to surprise some people after losing some great seniors last year."

LAYTON: The Lancers did better than expected at their own tournament and are turning some heads.

"We have a pretty young group, but they've been improving every day," coach John Fager said.

Adam Fager, the coach's brother, should be one of the best in the region at his weight class, and Nick Flores, Chris Moat and Jason Hunter could have big years.

Keith Johnson, Deseret Morning NewsWeber's Shay Warren, bottom, looks to make a move against Uintah's Levi Mele in a January all-star meet.

FREMONT: Matt Finger, Dennis Mecham, Austin Story and J.C. Oram have all made their way to the 5A rankings for the Silver Wolves. Although a young team, Fremont could jump up and surprise some teams if they don't come prepared when facing this group.

CLEARFIELD: The Falcons have the unfortunate task of being in the toughest region in the state for wrestling. Casey Brunson is the lone ranked grappler on the team right now, but it is still early in the year and improvement could come from this young squad.