March
6, 2007:
Deseret Morning News
Utah County: Local Teams Hold On
by Devon Black
The 2007 prep wrestling season ended
without the championship trophy Utah County teams sought,
but it was still one of the better years for local teams
in terms of overall competitiveness.
Although Springville, the favorite to win
Class 4A, slipped to third place at the state tournament,
three other Utah County schools finished in the top six in
their classifications, and 46 wrestlers stood on the
awards stand after placing in their individual weight
classes.
The Red Devils boasted arguably the
strongest lower-weight lineup in the entire state and saw
Kolby Bradley (119 pounds), Logan Wilson (125), Hayden
Petersen (130) and Jason Chamberlain (140) all win state
in Class 4A, with Jacob Rawle (135) finishing second. But
Springville's depth ended up being its liability, and the
team slipped to third place for the second consecutive
year.
Just behind Springville, Lehi tied for
fourth place and Payson came in sixth. The Pioneers were
the surprise local team and had a balanced lineup with
strengths throughout the weight classes.
"You always want more," said Lehi coach
Dan Rice. "But I'm happy. Overall the kids did well. It
looks good for next year as well. We have a tradition of
being a good team."
After a disappointing 2006 season, Payson
rebounded this year and reasserted itself as one of the
strongest programs in the county. Jace Harmon (135) was
Payson's highest placer at third.
After a fifth-place finish last year,
Provo fielded a younger lineup and slipped to 14th place,
with David Ojuka (160) finishing second.
Once again, Pleasant Grove proved to be
the top Utah County team in Class 5A. Lone Peak was pegged
to unseat the Vikings at region and make a legitimate run
at a top placing in the state tournament, but Pleasant
Grove ran away with the region championship and finished
fourth at state.
Struggling to live up to expectations,
Lone Peak fell to eighth place, just ahead of ninth-place
Spanish Fork.
The Dons hung their hats on a second-place
region finish and, like neighboring Payson, rebounded
after a tough 2006 season and reasserted itself as a
future contender.
"I'm just really impressed with my own
kids," said Spanish Fork coach David Clarke. "They've just
come on this year and done a great job. They got better
every week. The kids have stayed with me and worked really
hard. We only lose two seniors." |