Dec. 5, 2004: Deseret Morning News

Powerhouse Wasatch Just Keeps Winning
by Michael Black
Deseret Morning News

LAYTON — It does not seem to matter what happens with the Wasatch High wrestling team. Graduation or coaching changes, the powerhouse just continues to roll.

The Wasps proved once again on Saturday that size does not matter. The 3A school, competing against 4A and 5A squads, Wasatch ran away with the overall title at the Layton Invitational outscoring everyone with 297.5 points. Second place Box Elder finished with 251 and Viewmont finished third with 230.5.

"I'm pretty fortunate to get a team this talented," said Wasatch coach Ben Vombaur, who took over from Chris Blair this season. "We have some really good wrestlers. I try not to set expectations, but they're doing what we practiced and are winning doing it."

Wasatch placed seven wrestlers in the tournament finals, and all seven took home the title. As usual, the team was led by its returning champions.

"I'm always pleased with Dallin's (Norton) and Cyler's (Sanderson) performances," Vombaur said. "You come to expect them to dominate the competition."

Norton won the 275-pound classification and was named the outstanding wrestler of the upper weights. Sanderson took the 140-pound title with a fall or technical-fall in each match.

Top-ranked and defending state 5A champion Viewmont placed five wrestlers in the finals, but all five lost. The major upset of the tournament was two-time state champion Shay Lawrence who was taken in double-overtime by Bountiful's Cameron George.

The team that may have surprised everyone at the tournament was Box Elder. The Bees are highly regarded in the 4A classification, but it was still shocking to see the results.

"It is what we were hoping to see," said coach Mike Ripplinger. "We're pretty pleased to have 11 placers and five wrestlers in the finals. Hopefully, this will give us confidence that we can wrestle with anyone and it can carry us through the year."

One theme that all teams and coaches seemed to express over and over was how an early season tournament such as the Layton Invitational can help get the wrestlers prepared for the upcoming season.

"It's a good early season test," said Viewmont coach Bart Thompson. "You get a good feel for the team, but you can also see your mistakes and get them fixed."

"I think it will help us because it's easier to make improvements while we are here than it is to fix them in practice— the kids seem to listen better," said Vombaur.