January 2007: South Salt Lake Journal

SSL Wrestler Goes to the Mat for His Team
by Wendy Pyper

If you knew anything about Levi Card, you wouldn't be surprised to learn that he won his first wrestling match for his new alma mater at Cottonwood High on Nov. 30.

At 170 pounds, South Salt Lake sophomore Levi Card - a transplant from Granite High School - is already on the varsity wrestling team. (He also starts for the varsity football team.) Levi began attending Cottonwood High School when the focus of Granite High School changed.

Cottonwood High fans consisting of students, parents, siblings and friends filled the bleachers at the first home wrestling match to cheer on Levi and his teammates.

"He's a great kid and athlete," assistant principal Mitch Nerdin said. "We're both transplants from South Salt Lake." Nerdin served in administration last year at Granite High.

Principal Garrett Muse and Nerdin attended the match, were dressed in suits and mingled with the athletes to show support and offer advice.

"If Levi sticks to wrestling, he is going to make an impact on wrestling and for himself," said wrestling coach Jeff Jackson. Levi is the younger brother of a former Cottonwood High wrestler who placed at state, Tyler Card.

Many athletes stretched and warmed their muscles before the tournament, but Levi continued to jump, pace and keep muscles warm throughout the entire match until it was his turn. He was last to wrestle. His extra attention to such things contributes to his exceptional athleticism, his coach said.

"Our expectations of Levi are very high, even though he is only a sophomore and has not wrestled since he was in our little league wrestling program years ago," Jackson said.

"Take him down, hit him hard, sink him, lock him in and go Levi!" were frequent shouts from the crowd. Jackson and assistant coach Ben Ohai offered words of wisdom and encouragement while team members cheered.

The gym was buzzing with excitement as Levi maneuvered his West High School opponent into a pin. Levi beat his opponent and Cottonwood won its match.

Levi already has a following of fans who attend his games, both wrestling and football. Senior Selma Savan and sophomores Carolina Smith and Brenda Polanco have known Levi and attended his matches since their days at Granite Park Jr. High.

"We're more like siblings," Smith said. "He comes to support us with basketball and cheerleading, so we support him."