Wasatch Wrestling Pair Top List of Utahns in National Junior Rankings

WrestlingUSA Magazine published a national ranking of high-school junior wrestlers in a recent issue. Top ranked of the 10 Utahns included in the list were Cyler Sanderson and Dallin Norton, both from Wasatch High School, both ranked no. 4 in the nation - Sanderson at 130 lbs., Norton at 275 lbs.

Sanderson, brother of wrestling phenom Cael Sanderson (who just took silver at the World Championships), took state last year while at Timpanogos High, was also crowned champion at the Rocky Mountain Nationals last spring in Greco-Roman and Western Regionals in Greco-Roman.

Norton, a Utah state champion (folkstyle), was also crowned champion at the Rocky Mountain Nationals last spring in both Greco-Roman and freestyle.

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 eight of the 13 weight classes.

Other standouts include Tyson Thompson of Lehi, ranked no. 9 at 140 lbs.; Angelo Gallegos of Ogden, ranked no. 18 at 112 lbs.; Kelly Kelsey of Payson, ranked no. 25 at 140 lbs.; Shay Lawrence of Viewmont, ranked no. 28 at 119 lbs.; Michael Watts of Riverton, 103 lbs., Trevor Mellon of Payson, Jake Woolstenhume of South Summit, 125 lbs., and Phillip Keddy of Uintah, 145 lbs., all three ranked no. 30.

Bill Kilpack, Utah Editor for WrestlingUSA Magazine, had chosen Watts as the preseason pick for the state's most outstanding junior wrestler. He said, "Watts is very fast and his technique is sharp, but the thing that's most impressive is his physical strength. He's one of the most powerful 103-pounders I can remember."

Of all the high schools represented by wrestlers in the national rankings, Wasatch and Payson had two juniors listed, followed by Lehi, Ogden, Riverton, South Summit, Uintah and Viewmont, each with one on the list.

Kilpack said, "It's no surprise Wasatch is so well represented. I'm pleasantly surprised with Payson's two preseason ranks." His preseason picks for the top four high-school wrestling teams in Utah included Wasatch (defending 2A champions), as well as Timpanogos, Fremont (defending 5A state champions) and Millard (defending 3A state champions in one of the biggest team wins in recent memory). "I'm a bit surprised to see no one from Fremont and Millard listed."

He predicted that Wasatch will repeat as 3A state champion, followed by Lehi and North Sanpete.

Others of Kilpack's Utah preseason picks included senior Luke Lofthouse of Mountain Crest as the state's most outstanding wrestler; and Jake Swensen of North Sanpete as most outstanding sophomore. Two wrestlers Kilpack noted as ones to watch were Brighton sophomore Talan Knox and Taylorsville junior Josh Nufrio.

WrestlingUSA Magazine has been the voice of national high school wrestling since 1965. For more information, see www.wrestlingusa.com.

Kilpack is 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. For more information about the program, go to http://members.aol.com/jordanfreestyle/.