Dec.
15, 2005: Deseret Morning News
Pin-Demonium — Utah Valley's
Wrestlers Look to Make Their Moves
By Devon Black
The prep wrestling season is just a few
weeks old in Utah Valley, and already there are
indications that this could be a big year for the local
teams. Most of the traditional powers are back in usual
form, and a few of the other squads have a chance to put
together landmark seasons.
There are a lot of experienced wrestlers
back this year that could bring home at least a few
individual championships, and both of the valley's regions
look to be tightly contested.
The best team to keep an eye on as the
season goes on might be Springville. After a good showing
at the state tournament last season and a third-place
finish in region, the Red Devils are the early favorites
in Region 7 and have already made a little bit of history.
Springville beat neighboring rival Spanish
Fork in a pre-season duel last month, notching its first
win over the Dons in 26 years.
"We have a very tough team, especially in
the lower weights," said Springville coach Justin Judkins.
"We have four returning state placers, and two of those
are state champs."
Kolby Bradley (103 pounds) and Jason
Chamberlain (112) are the top returners for the Red Devils
after winning state last year. Both wrestlers took
first-place at a pre-season tournament in Layton that
featured three of last year's state championship teams and
should be looking to repeat as champions in February.
Springville could struggle with depth in
the state tournament and will run into some tough teams in
region as well.
"Payson and Orem will be tough, and Provo
has a couple of good kids," said Judkins.
Provo will feature twin brothers Michael
(130) and Nathaniel Holt (145), who are back after strong
state performances last year. Nathaniel won his weight
class while Michael finished second. Both Holt brothers
are expected to compete for state championships again.
Provo has already lost one of its
wrestlers to a football injury, and the Bulldogs will rely
on young wrestlers like David Ojuka (160) and John Libutti
(171) to step up and perform well.
"We have a few spots we can't fill with
one of our smallest squads in years," said Provo coach
Brian Preece. "We're hopeful some of our young wrestlers
can advance to the next level."
Payson lost some faces from last year's
team that finished second in region and had three
individual state champions. But the school should also be
in the mix for the region title along with Orem.
Lehi was hit hard by graduation last year
and will probably struggle with a younger squad, as should
Timpview.
Region 4 looks like the most wide-open
region with Lone Peak, Spanish Fork and last year's Region
7 champion Pleasant Grove all fighting for first place.
Pleasant Grove is expected to have some
drop-off from its region championship teams the last two
seasons, but it still looks loaded.
Mitch Sanderson (171) returns for his
junior season after taking state last year. Seniors
Gehrhart Vucksinick (160) and Jacob Woodhouse (145) placed
second and third in state respectively last season and
will be the leaders this season for the Vikings, who
return eight other state qualifiers.
"The young team needs improvement," said
Pleasant Grove coach Brocke Moore. "We don't have a
215-pound wrestler this year."
Lone Peak has a talented sophomore in
Blake Mangum (125), who finished fifth in state last year
and has already received national attention. Thomas Lamb
(130) finished second last year and is the early favorite
to win his weight class this season, and Sterling Coons
(275) is one of the state's top heavyweights. The Knights
won easily in two early duels against Provo and Orem to
set the stage for their run at the region championship.
"We hope to finish top five in state and
win region," said Lone Peak coach Lyle Mangum. "We have a
lot of good, young kids that have some varsity
experience."
At Spanish Fork, David Clarke has taken
over coaching duties from long-time coach Layne Shepherd
and will try to win the new 5A region after having some
dominant teams in 4A the past few years.
Mountain View will likely have more
freshmen on its varsity lineup then seniors, but it hopes
to compete for placing after the stronger teams.
"Mountain View is a very young wrestling
team," said Bruins coach Robert Stoddard. "We'll probably
have three freshmen that contribute on varsity, and we'll
only have two seniors. We hope to be able to compete for
fourth and fifth."
Bryce Florea (112) and Jesse Fisher (215)
are two of the top returners for the Bruins.
American Fork will most likely be fighting
the Bruins for fourth place.
Timpanogos should be much tougher then
last season and could make some noise in the region
tournament.
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Utah Valley's top 10 wrestlers
Bo Beckman (112), Timpanogos
Kolby Bradley (103), Springville
Jason Chamberlain (112), Springville
Michael Holt (130), Provo
Nathaniel Holt (145), Provo
Thomas Lamb (130), Lone Peak
Blake Mangum (125), Lone Peak
Tag Miller (125), Payson
Mitch Sanderson (171), Pleasant Grove
Gehrhart Vucksinick (160), Pleasant Grove
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