Jan. 10, 2008: The Salt Lake Tribune

Expert Analysis

Layton Wrestling

The Lancers were eliminated early at the West Jordan Duals last weekend. The team's top wrestler, Adam Fager, will wrestle Tuesday in the All-Star Dual in Orem.

Fager hopes to defend his Class 5A state title in his division.

Northridge Wrestling

The Knights will travel to Vernal for the Tournament of Champions this weekend, as Northridge is looking to improve week by week and peak at the state tournament in February. Last season, the Knights finished with just 34 points.

Fremont Wrestling

The Silver Wolves will compete in the Richardson Tournament in Box Elder this weekend, as they look to make improvements with the state tournament only next month. Last season, Fremont placed 11th and had 73 points - which was just one point shy of earning a tie for 10th.

Davis Wrestling

The Darts wrestle in arguably the toughest region in the state. Last season, four of the top 10 teams in the state championships were from Region 1 - including Davis, which finished sixth overall. Davis will face Northridge in a dual Thursday, Jan. 17

The Darts have the kind of wrestlers to make an impact this season, however young. That means they'll have to grow fast.

Junior Zak Baker, junior Braiden Hart, senior Tanner Porath and senior

Ben Lynch lead the way for the Darts.

Baker is one of the state's top wrestlers. At the Layton Invitational, he lost to Snow Canyon's Marty Rubalcaba in the title match of the 119-pound class. Teammates Brett Naylor (103), Hart (135) and Porath (140) also placed at the two-day event.

Skyline Wrestling

Eagles out of action until the Rumble

Skyline is mostly off from competition until next weekend, when the Rocky Mountain Rumble takes place in Orem.

In the meantime, the Eagles will look to improve from last year, in which they finished with only 20.5 points at the Class 5A state championships.

Riverton Wrestling

Eric Briggs and Eli Fieldon are two of the team's best wreslters, as the Silverwolves are looking to better their chances at the state tournament next month.

Hunter Wrestling

Last year, the Wolverines won the region title without anyone expecting they would do such a thing. They look to do it again this season.

Top returners are Dominic Ek (103 pounds), Chase Mecham (119), Michaels Daniels (125), Alex Eliason (130), Kenny Jackson (135), Colton Griffiths (145), Braden Wamsley (160), Jake Sneddon (171) and Jordan Solomon (189). All the wrestlers mentioned are seniors.

Copper Hills Wrestling

Ryan Vasquez leads a team that has been refocusing on the basics as the Grizzlies look to qualify for the Class 5A state tournament next month. Last season, Copper Hills had 32 team points.

West Jordan Wrestling

The Jaguars are a solid team that hopes to peak at the state tournament next month. At its annual West Jordan Duals last weekend, West Jordan beat Mountain Crest in a dual match, though the Mustangs were without some of their best wrestlers to allow members of the JV squad to compete against varsity athletes. Jacob Falk is one of the team's best wrestlers, as he is ranked second in a 5A coaches' poll only to Alta's Carson Kuhn in the 103-pound class.

Bingham Wrestling

The Miners are led by Kade Moss (119 pounds), Seth Anderson (215), Spencer Paulson (285) and Joe Bradshaw (140). All those just mentioned look to give Bingham a shot at the state title when the Class 5A tournament takes place next month.

Taylorsville Wrestling

Judging on their performance at the West Jordan Duals in which it was eliminated early, Taylorsville is having another tough, learning-by-experience season.

Taylorsville tied for 23rd with Timpanogos in the 24-team Layton Invitational that had some of the best wrestlers in the state competing.

Last month at the Viewmont Invitational, Taylorsville finished 21st out of 22 teams. The Warriors had only 21 points.