Jan. 18, 2008: The Salt Lake Tribune

Prep Wrestling: Wasatch Wants to Make Impact at Rumble
by Chhun Sun

This is the kind of opportunity the Wasatch wrestlers enjoy. It's one that, if they succeed, will give observers even more reason to think perhaps the Wasps are the best all-around team in Utah.

This opportunity begins today at the Rocky Mountain Rumble, an annual event that will have 60 schools (45 of them are Utah teams) from eight states competing. And the Wasps want nothing more than to be announced the top team when the two-day tournament concludes Saturday at the McKay Events Center in Orem.

Last year, the Wasps were the runner-ups.

"We hope we do [finish first]," said coach Steve Sanderson, who couldn't attend the Rumble last season because he was watching his son wrestle at Iowa State. "The kids have worked hard and the kids have put themselves in position to do that. They just need to show up and wrestle hard."

It's all part of the process.

All those familiar with wrestling in Utah know that the Wasps have been one of the rulers in the sport. And this year, it's no different. Wasatch is looking for its sixth straight Class 3A state championship, and its 17th overall of any kind.

Like any other year, the program has some high-profile wrestlers. Six of them showed their stuff in Tuesday's All-Star Classic. All six — Jake Salazar, Sean Sullivan, Blake Mangum, Cole Shafer, Ethan Smith and Trevor Sweat — finished with victories.

"We're making final preparation for the state tournament," Sanderson said.

But there's another Utah team that could challenge Wasatch for this weekend's No. 1 spot. The Millard Eagles also have some strong, high-profile wrestlers, with Mason Stott, Matt Tuttle, Quincy Thatcher and Clancey Mortenson leading the two-time defending Class 2A state champions.

Last season, Millard finished third at the Rumble - behind tournament winner Sedro Woolley (Wash.) and runner-up Wasatch. And the competition between Millard and Wasatch doesn't end Saturday, as they will face each other in a highly-anticipated dual showdown Wednesday.

But no one's really thinking ahead.

"You handle things as they come," Sanderson said.

Rocky Mountain Rumble Friday at 1 p.m.; Saturday at 10:30 a.m. McKay Events Center in Orem.