February 2007: West Valley Journal

Hunter Wrestlers Hanging Around Top of Region Standings
by Josh McFadden
 

In a Challenging region, Hunter High School wrestling coach Craig Stauffer has his team right where he wants it.

At press time the Wolverines owned an 8-3 record and resided in third place in Region 3 standings. The team trailed only traditional state powers Bingham and Riverton for the right to earn the league crown. With three region matches left, Hunter still has a shot to claim the championship. Stauffer is pleased with how the season has gone and is confident in his team's postseason prospects.

"We're pretty much where I expected us to be," he said. "I'm actually glad we're in third because we're not expected to win it, so we can sneak up on teams. If we were first we'd be expected to win and might not handle the pressure."

Hunter is led by the senior trio of Skylar Bird, Josh Larsen and Stephan Ramirez. Bird was ranked number one in the 189-pound class earlier this season and currently holds a 14-2 record. Larsen has won 12 of his 15 matches in the 215-pound division, while Ramirez is 8-10 while competing as a 135-pound wrestler.

Juniors Braden Wamsley and Colton Griffiths are having solid years as well. Wamsley, at 140 pounds, is 15-3 overall, while Griffiths is 15-4 in the 145-pound class.

"We won region last year and we have a good chance of winning again this year," Stauffer said. "We want to place in state."

But Stauffer is also excited about his Junior Varsity team.

All teams are allowed to take two wrestlers from each weight class to the region tournament at the end of the regular season. And since Stauffer doesn't see much drop-off from his varsity squad to the J.V. group, the chance for big points is strong.

"Where we'll be successful is with our J.V. team," he said. 'They're 15-0 and have won two tournaments. Our J.V. has always helped us."

J.V. wrestlers Chris Hall and junior Jordan Solomon are among those whom Stauffer is counting on to help the varsity squad in postseason events. Solomon has gone 15-0 this season and all of his victories have come by pinning his opponent.

And while this season may turn out to be another solid campaign for the Wolverines, wait until next year. Hunter is a junior-laden squad that boasts numbers and commitment Stauffer has never seen during his 17-year tenure as the Wolverines' coach.

"We don't have any superstars. Everyone is really decent," he said. "Next year we should be even tougher. We've got a great chance for next year. The juniors and sophomores realize they can be good. It seems like the kids believe it's possible to win region and place in state."

Stauffer said he has 45 wrestlers on his team and has actually gained competitors as the year has progressed. He said typically a wrestling team will drop in numbers throughout the year but Hunter has actually seen its team expand.

"That's never happened since I've been here," he said. "I think it's happened because we've been successful and we're trying to promote the sport here."

Hunter will compete in the Region 3 tournament the final week of January and into the first part of February. The state tournament begins the next week at Utah Valley State College.