October 2004: Wrestling USA Magazine

Wasatch's Sanderson Ranked No. 1 All-Division National Rankings

Wrestling USA Magazine published a national ranking of high-school wrestlers - all divisions - online at their Web site. Top ranked of the 10 Utahns was Cyler Sanderson of Wasatch High School, ranked no. 1 at 140 lbs.

Some of Sanderson's notable exploits include being one of only three Utahns to place in both freestyle and Greco-Roman at the USA Wrestling Junior National Championships in Fargo, North Dakota, last summer, taking home a silver (Greco) and a 3rd-place bronze (freestyle). He had a season record of 40-0 as a junior and an overall high-school career record of 117-8. He was crowned champion at 2004 Reno Tournament of Champions, was named Outstanding Wrestler at the 2004 Minnesota Clash, 2002 High School State Championships Outstanding Wrestler, is a three-time USA Wrestling Cadet All-American, and a three-time USA Wrestling Junior All-American.

Bill Kilpack, Utah Editor for Wrestling USA Magazine, had chosen Sanderson as the preseason pick for the state's most outstanding wrestler in all divisions. He said, "Sanderson definitely deserves to be ranked no. 1. His performance is always strong, no matter what level."

Sanderson was one of three Wasatch wrestlers on this prestigious list. The others were senior Dallin Norton, ranked no. 8 at 275 lbs., and sophomore Casey Smith, ranked no. 30 at 103 lbs.

Uintah High School also had three wrestlers represented on the list: junior Levi Mele, ranked no. 7 at 103 lbs.; junior Jared McCurdy, no. 22 at 189 lbs.; and senior Phillip Keddy, no. 30 at 171 lbs.

The list was compiled by Dan Fickel, National Editor for the magazine, based on six criteria: 1) accomplishments at state high-school championships (folkstyle); 2) National Junior freestyle and Greco-Roman success; 3) Cadet National freestyle and Greco-Roman success; 4) performance at prestigious high-school tournaments; 5) information from coaches and parents; and 6) the state from which the nominee hails.

Utah wrestlers appeared in the rankings in nine of the 14 weight divisions.

Other standouts include junior Jake Swensen of North Sanpete, ranked no. 13 at 130 lbs.; junior Nathaniel Holt of Provo, no. 22 at 135 lbs.; senior Tyson Thompson of Lehi, no. 20 at 145 lbs.; and junior Talan Knox of Brighton, no. 30 at 152 lbs.

WrestlingUSA Magazine has been the voice of national high school wrestling since 1965. For more information, see www.wrestlingusa.com.

Kilpack is editor of UtahWrestling.org, a past AAU national champion, a seven-time national silver medalist, an AAU All-American, and earned an alternate position on the U.S. Pan-Am Team in Greco-Roman. He coaches an independent freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling program through Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation, Jordan Freestyle Wrestling.