Wrestling USA Magazine, Utah Wrestlers of the Year

Outstanding Junior Wrestlers for 2004–2005

 

Jake Swensen
North Sanpete High School, 130 lbs.
GPA: 3.5

School Classification: 2A (608 Enrolled)

Swensen is the real deal.  He's powerful and skilled.  It's not often that you can cite a freshman state champion, even more rare when it was done outside the bottom two weight classes.  He continued to be a dominant force in the 125-pound weight class, regardless of the state division he competes against, as illustrated by his second State Championship.   

2005 State Champion (130 lbs.), 2004 State Champion (125 lbs), 2003 State Champion (119 lbs.)  2003–2004 Record: 46-2

High School Career Record: 94-5 with 68 Pins.  Freestyle Record: 60-5.  Greco-Roman Record: 71-0.

Following is a summary of Jake's wrestling career so far: 

• Three-Time High School State Champion

• 2005 7th Place, USA Wrestling Junior Nationals, Greco-Roman

• 2004 Wrestling USA Magazine Utah Sophomore Wrestler of the Year

• 2003 High School State Championships Outstanding Wrestler

• 2003 Utah Wrestling Coaches Association Freshman of the Year

• 2003 National Champion, USA Wrestling Cadet Nationals, Greco-Roman

• 2001 National Champion, USA Wrestling Kids Nationals, Freestyle, Greco-Roman and Folkstyle (Triple Crown Winner)

• 2000 National Champion, USA Wrestling Kids Nationals, Folkstyle (Trinity Winner)

• 1999 National Champion, USA Wrestling Kids National, Greco-Roman

Wrestling USA Magazine Picks

• Nationally Ranked Utah Wrestler in All-Division Rankings (130 lbs.): No. 13

• Nationally Ranked Utahn in National Junior Rankings (130 lbs.): No. 4

Talan Knox
Brighton High School, 160 lbs.
GPA: 3.8

School Classification: 5A (2,000 Enrolled)

I've watched Knox develop from elementary school.  He's got a work ethic that's rare; he really understands the sport and he loves it.  It's obvious when you watch him wrestle.  Taking second in state as a freshman in a tough weight class is nothing to sneeze at, either.  He is continuing to knock heads and take home top places, such as a silver medal at the Layton Invitational (at 145 lbs.) and taking state as a sophomore.  At the USA Wrestling Cadet National Duals he went undefeated in Greco-Roman and lost one decision in freestyle, while taking a silver medal at the USA Wrestling Cadet National Championships with a one-point loss in overtime.

2005 State Champion (160 lbs.), 2004 State Champion (145 lbs.), 2003 State Silver Medalist.  2004–2005 Record: 38-3.  2003–2004 Record: 39-2.  2002–2003 Record: 29-12.

High School Career Record: 106-17

Following is a summary of Talan's wrestling career so far:

• Two-Time High School State Champion

• One-Time High School State Silver Medalist

• Two-Time Region II Champion

• 2005 Region II Outstanding Wrestler

• 2005 Viewmont Invitational Outstanding Wrestler

• 2005 Deseret Morning News Prep of the Week

• 2004 Champion, Viewmont Invitational

• Three-Time Brighton High School Outstanding Wrestler

• 2005 Wrestling USA Magazine Utah Junior Wrestler of the Year

• 2004 Wrestling USA Magazine Utah Sophomore Wrestler of the Year

• 2004 2nd Place, USA Wrestling Cadet Nationals in Greco-Roman

• 2004 7th Place, USA Wrestling Cadet Nationals in Freestyle

• 2003 5th Place, USA Wrestling Cadet Nationals in Greco-Roman

• 2003 8th place, USA Wrestling Cadet Nationals in Freestyle

• 2003 Champion, Kids Freestyle World Cup (Boise, ID)

• 2003 Champion, Flowing Wells (Ariz.)

• 2002 National Champion, USA Wrestling Kids Nationals, Greco-Roman

• Three-Time USA Wrestling Western Regionals Greco-Roman Champion

• Two-Time USA Wrestling Western Regionals Freestyle Champion

• Four-Time USA Wrestling Freestyle State Champion

• Three-Time USA Wrestling Greco-Roman State Champion

• Seven-Time USA Wrestling All-American

• Two-Time Wasatch Duals Champion

Wrestling USA Magazine Picks

• Nationally Ranked Utah Wrestler in All-Division Rankings (152 lbs.): No. 30

• Nationally Ranked Utahn in National Junior Rankings (152 lbs.): No. 8

Utah Wrestling Coaches Association Ranking

• 1st 160 lbs. (5A)

Talan is an Academic Letterman.
 

Nathaniel Holt
Provo High School, 135 lbs.
GPA: 3.6

School Classification: 4A (1,400 enrolled)

I've watched Holt for a some time now and, in the last year or so in particular, he has really developed into a fine wrestler.  He's skilled, he's fast, he's powerful.  But what really impressed me was when he didn't leave anything on the mat when he fell short in the bronze-medal match at the Reno World Championships last April.  I'm sure this is just one of many great things ahead of him, because he's a gifted wrestler.  The strong turnout at Reno was only one of his glowing performances supporting the expectations being laid by his national sophomore ranking last season, including a second-place finish at the high school state championships, losing to senior powerhouse McKay Sanderson. 

2005 State Champion (140 lbs.), 2004 State Silver Medalist (130 lbs.).

High School Career Record: 45-14 with 15 Pins.

Following is a summary of Nathaniel's wrestling career so far:

• One-Time High School State Champion

• One-Time High School State Silver Medalist

• One-Time USA Wrestling Cadet All-American

• 2005 Champion, Reno World Championships

• 2005 5th Place, Reno Tournament of Champions

• 2005 2nd Place, Rocky Mountain Rumble

• 2004 Wrestling USA Magazine Utah Wrestler to Watch

• 2004 4A Duals Champion

• 2004 2nd Place, Rocky Mountain Nationals in Freestyle

• 2004 2nd Place, Rocky Mountain Nationals in Greco-Roman

• 2004 4th Place, Reno World Championships

• 2004 1st Place, Bear River Tournament

• 2004 Provo High School Outstanding Sophomore Wrestler

• 2003 USA Wrestling Utah State Champion in freestyle and Greco-Roman

• 2003 6th Place, USA Wrestling Cadet Nationals in freestyle

• 2003 2nd Place, USA Wrestling Western Regionals in freestyle

Wrestling USA Magazine Picks

• Nationally Ranked Utah Wrestler in All-Division Rankings (135 lbs.): No. 22

• Nationally Ranked Utahn in National Junior Rankings (135 lbs.): No. 4