The high school wrestling season wrapped up last week with the state championship tournaments. It was a season of streaks with Sean Porter winning another state title and streaks ended with Weber stopping Viewmont from capturing another championship. But there were plenty of other exciting and interesting tidbits from the long season.

The Arizona Pipeline

The state of Arizona’s loss was definitely Davis County’s gain when it comes to high school wrestling. Andrew Fallon of Bountiful, who placed second at 171 in the 4A state tournament, and Layton’s Adam Fager, state 5A champion at 189 and Region 1 Most Outstanding Wrestler, each moved to Utah over the summer. Fallon began his wrestling career in Mesa, while Fager started in Queen Creek.

Wrestlers Most Fun to Watch

Nate Larsen and Sterling Kimber of Viewmont. As Larsen spent nearly every match of his junior season not just winning, but inflicting the kind of pain reserved for “Saw” movies, Kimber, a senior, wrestled with the most unusual and exciting style, keeping himself in any match he wrestled. Although he didn’t place at region, Kimber’s zany style of leg riding and body contortions led to Coach Bart Thompson consuming several bottles of Tums during his matches.

Heartbreaker

Tonga Toko’s 11-10 loss in the 4A state finals was one of the most exciting and frustrating losses of the seasons. In part that was due to how much was at stake and the closeness of the loss, but primarily because the Bountiful 215-pounder has to be one of the nicest young men in Utah sports.

Who’s That?

Many wrestlers chose this year to dye their hair jet black prior to the region tournaments. This made identifying athletes extremely difficult for parents, fans and even coaches. But with the new locks and sprouting mustaches, Davis standouts Sean Porter and Austin Taylor took on the look of the 1970s Chippendale dancers.

Bright Future

With a squad of nearly all sophomores and juniors and a feeder program, look out for the Woods Cross Wildcats as the team of tomorrow. Not only are seeds of success being planted, the gardener is Mark Tate, a great wrestling mind with a drive for success. So you folks who beat up on Woods Cross this year, watch your back — this wildcat is growling.

Amazing Record

The Viewmont senior class has left its mark on Utah wrestling. This class graduates with three 5A state titles and one runner-up finish in its four years at Viewmont.

Until next year, keep in mat...