Nov. 25, 2004: Deseret Morning News

Been There, 'Don' That — Spanish Fork Seeking 'Three-Peat' 4A Wrestling Title
by Devon Black
For the Deseret Morning News

As the prep wrestling squads all over Utah County start gearing up for the new season, the buzz seems to be all about Spanish Fork.

No one can blame Spanish Fork coach Layne Shepherd and the Dons for getting most of the attention. Shepherd's team is coming off of back-to-back state championships, and they look reloaded and ready once again to make another title run.

While there's a lot of talent throughout the state, pretty much everyone agrees that the road to a 4A state championship runs right through Spanish Fork.

"This team has set a goal. They want to take state again," Shepherd said. "They know how much fun it is. They want to do it again. I don't think we have as strong of superstars as we had last year, but we've got a lot of depth."

Spencer Dinkins and Jason Warner are both returning state champions for the Dons and should provide key leadership. Both Brady Shepherd, a 152-pounder, and Gatlin Gardner at 145 pounds return after placing at the state tournament last year.

Shepherd credits a solid junior high program for the Dons' continued success.

"We always have a good sophomore class," Shepherd said. "(Junior high coach) John Allen runs a very solid program. He sends us a bunch of new wrestlers every year."

Payson also looks ready to compete for a championship with its neighboring rivals. The Lions will be featuring two wrestlers receiving national attention in Trevor Mellen and Kelly Kelsey. Payson finished third in Region 6 last season and should be in the championship mix once again.

Provo lost last year's star Clay Taylor to graduation but returns junior Nathaniel Holt (130) who won region last year and has several other wrestlers who will return with varsity experience from a year ago.

American Fork, Springville and Timpview will try to be surprise teams this year.

Defending Region 7 champion Pleasant Grove has lot of new faces but hopes the some solid senior leadership mixes well with the youth. Vikings coach Brock Moore is coaching a total of 22 new wrestlers this season and a few of them are expected to see significant varsity action.

Among the new faces is sophomore Keola Goodman (103), who Moore describes only as "tough." Goodman's older brother Kawai (119) took first in region last year and is one of four Vikings who are returning after placing in the state tournament. Kolby Hilton (160), Gehrhart Vucksinick (152), and Teddy Owens (145) are the other returners.

Moore says he expects some great things out of his nucleus of seniors.

"They're all 4.0 students," Moore said. "They were all academic all-region. We always expect the best from them. Our goal is to win region and state."

After a third-place finish in region a year ago, Timpanogos has found itself limping onto the mat early on. The Timberwolves have suffered some key preseason injuries and will be outmanned, especially early in the year. Mitch Sanderson (140) won region last year and should be one of the standouts.

"Our team's kind of funny," said Timpanogos coach Rocky Smart. "Our numbers are really down this year. The guys we do have out, a lot of them are hurt this year."

Lone Peak had finished second in region last year and put forth a very surprising performance at the state tournament. Coach Lyle Mangum and the Knights are expected once again to contend. Sam Crossley (130) was competitive as a sophomore last year and should be one of the headliners for the Knights this season.

Cross-town rivals Orem and Mountain View both struggled last season and finished at the bottom of the region, but they are hoping to rebound.

State champions Tyson Thompson (140) and Rodney Sager (119) return for Lehi this season, along with several other wrestlers who placed at state. Lehi finished third overall at state last year and should once again be among the top teams in class 3A.