February 2007: Cottonwood/Holladay Journal

Bengal Wrestlers Looking Strong Once Again
by Josh McFadden

The Brighton High School wrestling team began the year with a new head coach and with the task of replacing arguably its top wrestler from last season in three-time state champion Talon Knox. Another top wrestler, heavyweight state placer Junior Salt, graduated last year. Still, the Bengals figure to contend for the 5A state title.

Armed with talent and experience, Brighton features one of Utah's top squads. Wade Brown, a two-year assistant with the team, took over for Ted Sierer and guided the team to yet another stellar campaign. Brighton placed fourth in last season's state tournament, falling one place behind region rival Alta.

"It's been a good season," Brown said. "We've wrestled well. We've done well at some tournaments. We're peaking at the right time now."

With region and state looming, Brown has his young men ready for another strong finish. And though he may not have a Talon Knox on the roster, Brown does have the luxury of calling upon four athletes that placed at state a year ago.

"Individually, we've got tough kids," he said. "They're as good as anyone in the state. Our starting kids are all pretty tough."

Jaes Jones, Ky Lucero, KC Nate and Cole Shafer all finished in the top four of their respective weight classes at last season's 5A state meets. Jones took fourth in the 112-pound class; Lucero was runner-up at 130 pounds; Nate, a two-time state placer, took fourth in the 145-pound division; and the 152-pound Shafer came in second in 2006. All expect to claim the top prize this time around.

Brown is concerned with his team's lack of depth. The Bengals do have some open weight classes because there simply aren't enough wrestlers to fill the vacancies. Because of this, Brighton has to forfeit points every match.

"That makes it harder at region and state because every team is allowed to take two wrestlers from each weight," Brown said. "We don't quite have the depth we'd like to have. We don't seem to quite get the numbers everyone else has."

But the Bengals won't let that stop them from reaching their goals. Brown and his pupils are committed to winning with the star wrestlers they do have. The entire squad is confident in its abilities.

"We think we can win region and finish in the top-three at state," Brown said. "All teams set high goals. Our kids have expectations for themselves. We're focused on doing well at region and state."

The 5A state tournament is scheduled for Feb. 7-9 at Utah Valley State College.