Dec. 12, 2004: The Salt Lake Tribune

Wasatch Loaded for Title Run
by Peter Richins
The Salt Lake Tribune

Cyler Sanderson has a bright future ahead of him in Ames, Iowa, as he follows his three older brothers to college powerhouse Iowa State.
But first, he has to finish his senior year at Wasatch.

"It's kind of hard not to think about next year," Sanderson said. The youngest brother in the Sanderson clan, Cyler will join older brothers Cody, Cole and Cael in attending the Big 12 school.

Now a coach at Iowa State, Cael is known for his 159-0 college record and his Olympic gold-medal performance in Athens.

While next year holds lots of promise, Sanderson's prospects with Wasatch also look good. Wasatch lost several top wrestlers from last year's team, but also has a defending champion back in Dallin Norton. And judging from the Wasps seven-title performance at the Layton Invitational, Wasatch should be just as strong as last year.

"I inherited a great team; I just hope we improve," first-year coach Ben VomBaur said. VomBaur took the job in Heber City after Chris Blair left the program.

Now, the 24-year-old former Boise State All-American leads a team with strong wrestlers at every weight.

"They are all pretty high in ability, and over half of our team has a good chance of winning state," VomBaur said. Perhaps the Wasps' biggest challenge this year will be defending their title at the Reno Tournament of Champions later this month.

"It will be a task to win Reno this year," VomBaur said. "We have a strong enough team that, if we wrestle well, we could do it."

Sanderson, wrestling at 140 pounds, likely has a good chance of defending his Reno Tournament title. Last year, he took first place at 135.

"He's an outstanding wrestler," VomBaur said. "He's the best high school wrestler that I've wrestled with."

Uintah, with state champs Levi Mele and Phillip Keddy, will be the Wasps' toughest competition in 3-A. Also, Lehi's Rodney Sager and Tyson Thompson will keep the Pioneers competitive. North Sanpete's Jake Swensen also should compete well.