September 2004: Wrestling USA Magazine

Wasatch Freshman Tops Utah Freshman-Sophomore Wrestlers in National Rankings

Wrestling USA Magazine published a national ranking of high-school freshman-sophomore wrestlers online. Top ranked of the nine Utahns included in the list was 125-pound Jacob Salazar of Wasatch High School, ranked no. 6. Salazar was also the only Utah freshman on the list.

Some of Salazar's notable achievements include going 6-1 in freestyle at the USA Wrestling Cadet National Duals last summer in Greeley, Colo., losing his only match in a close 5-3 decision. This is after he went 5-2 in Greco-Roman at the same tournament. At the later USA Wrestling Cadet Nationals in Fargo, he took silver in Greco-Roman. He is definitely holding up the family tradition.

Bill Kilpack, Utah Editor for Wrestling USA Magazine, had chosen Salazar as the preseason pick for a Wrestler to Watch. He said, "Salazar is about as exciting a freshman as there is. His performance at the Cadet National Duals was astonishing. He's going to be exciting to watch this year."

Another 125-pounders were ranked nationally: sophomore Sean Porter of Davis High School was ranked no. 10. Porter took the 5A state title last year as a freshman, and was named Outstanding Lower Weight Wrestler for 5A, beating two top-ranked wrestlers to take that title. He traveled back to Lincoln, Neb., this past spring to compete in the National High School Coaches Association National State Duals, and finished with an impressive record of 2-1. Kilpack has named Porter as a preseason pick for Sophomore Wrestler of the Year.

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 eight of the 14 weight divisions.

Other standouts include Casey Smith of Wasatch, who was ranked no. 12 at 103 lbs.; Eric Wells of Wayne (275), ranked no. 15; Wade Eldredge of Monticello at 130 (another of Kilpack's preseason picks as a Wrestler to Watch); Jared Rupper (140) of Uintah and Laddell Brinkerhoff of Altamont (145), both ranked no. 26; Shay Warren (112) of Weber, ranked no. 27 (also a preseason pick as a Sophomore Wrestler of the Year); and Aaron Ross of Weber (120), receiving special mention.

Of all the high schools represented by wrestlers in the national rankings, Wasatch and Weber both had two listed. With one wrestler ranked were Altamont, Davis, Monticello, Panguitch and Uintah.

Wrestling USA 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.