Wasatch's Sanderson Ranked No. 1 — Tops List of Utahns in National Senior Rankings

WrestlingUSA Magazine published a national ranking of high-school senior wrestlers in its Oct. 1, 2004, issue. Top ranked of the eight Utahns included in the list was Cyler Sanderson of Wasatch High School, who was ranked no. 1 in the country at 140 lbs.

Some of Sanderson's notable exploits include being one of only three Utahns to place in both freestyle and Greco-Roman at the USA Wrestling Junior National Championships in Fargo, North Dakota, last summer, taking home a silver (Greco) and a 3rd-place bronze (freestyle). He had a season record of 40-0 as a junior and an overall high-school career record of 117-8.  He was crowned champion at 2004 Reno Tournament of Champions, was named Outstanding Wrestler at the 2004 Minnesota Clash, 2002 High School State Championships Outstanding Wrestler, is a three-time USA Wrestling Cadet All-American, and a three-time USA Wrestling Junior All-American.

Bill Kilpack, Utah Editor for WrestlingUSA Magazine, had chosen Sanderson as the preseason pick for the state's most outstanding wrestler in all divisions. He said, "Sanderson definitely deserves to be ranked no. 1.  His performance is always strong, no matter what level."

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 six of the 13 weight divisions.

Other standouts include Dallin Norton, also of Wasatch, who was ranked no. 8 at 275 lbs.; Tyson Thompson of Lehi, ranked no. 14 at 145 lbs.; and Phillip Keddy of Uintah, no. 23 at 171 lbs.  Receiving Special Mention on the list were two 120-pounders, Trevor Mellon of Payson, and Rodney Sager of Lehi; 135 Shay Lawrence of Viewmont; and Kelly Kelsey of Payson, at 145.

Of all the high schools represented by wrestlers in the national rankings, Lehi, Payson and Wasatch each had two listed, followed by Uintah and Viewmont, each with one.

WrestlingUSA 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.