Jan.
10, 2008: The Salt Lake Tribune
Expert Analysis
Layton Wrestling
The Lancers were eliminated early at the
West Jordan Duals last weekend. The team's top wrestler,
Adam Fager, will wrestle Tuesday in the All-Star Dual in
Orem.
Fager hopes to defend his Class 5A state
title in his division.
Northridge Wrestling
The Knights will travel to Vernal for the
Tournament of Champions this weekend, as Northridge is
looking to improve week by week and peak at the state
tournament in February. Last season, the Knights finished
with just 34 points.
Fremont Wrestling
The Silver Wolves will compete in the
Richardson Tournament in Box Elder this weekend, as they
look to make improvements with the state tournament only
next month. Last season, Fremont placed 11th and had 73
points - which was just one point shy of earning a tie for
10th.
Davis Wrestling
The Darts wrestle in arguably the toughest
region in the state. Last season, four of the top 10 teams
in the state championships were from Region 1 - including
Davis, which finished sixth overall. Davis will face
Northridge in a dual Thursday, Jan. 17
The Darts have the kind of wrestlers to
make an impact this season, however young. That means
they'll have to grow fast.
Junior Zak Baker, junior Braiden Hart,
senior Tanner Porath and senior
Ben Lynch lead the way for the Darts.
Baker is one of the state's top wrestlers.
At the Layton Invitational, he lost to Snow Canyon's Marty
Rubalcaba in the title match of the 119-pound class.
Teammates Brett Naylor (103), Hart (135) and Porath (140)
also placed at the two-day event.
Skyline Wrestling
Eagles out of action until the Rumble
Skyline is mostly off from competition
until next weekend, when the Rocky Mountain Rumble takes
place in Orem.
In the meantime, the Eagles will look to
improve from last year, in which they finished with only
20.5 points at the Class 5A state championships.
Riverton Wrestling
Eric Briggs and Eli Fieldon are two of the
team's best wreslters, as the Silverwolves are looking to
better their chances at the state tournament next month.
Hunter Wrestling
Last year, the Wolverines won the region
title without anyone expecting they would do such a thing.
They look to do it again this season.
Top returners are Dominic Ek (103 pounds),
Chase Mecham (119), Michaels Daniels (125), Alex Eliason
(130), Kenny Jackson (135), Colton Griffiths (145), Braden
Wamsley (160), Jake Sneddon (171) and Jordan Solomon
(189). All the wrestlers mentioned are seniors.
Copper Hills Wrestling
Ryan Vasquez leads a team that has been
refocusing on the basics as the Grizzlies look to qualify
for the Class 5A state tournament next month. Last season,
Copper Hills had 32 team points.
West Jordan Wrestling
The Jaguars are a solid team that hopes to
peak at the state tournament next month. At its annual
West Jordan Duals last weekend, West Jordan beat Mountain
Crest in a dual match, though the Mustangs were without
some of their best wrestlers to allow members of the JV
squad to compete against varsity athletes. Jacob Falk is
one of the team's best wrestlers, as he is ranked second
in a 5A coaches' poll only to Alta's Carson Kuhn in the
103-pound class.
Bingham Wrestling
The Miners are led by Kade Moss (119
pounds), Seth Anderson (215), Spencer Paulson (285) and
Joe Bradshaw (140). All those just mentioned look to give
Bingham a shot at the state title when the Class 5A
tournament takes place next month.
Taylorsville Wrestling
Judging on their performance at the West
Jordan Duals in which it was eliminated early,
Taylorsville is having another tough,
learning-by-experience season.
Taylorsville tied for 23rd with Timpanogos
in the 24-team Layton Invitational that had some of the
best wrestlers in the state competing.
Last month at the Viewmont Invitational,
Taylorsville finished 21st out of 22 teams. The Warriors
had only 21 points.
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