Wrestling USA Magazine Utah Editor Ranks Utah High School Wrestling Teams: Wasatch Top of the Heap

The Utah Editor for Wrestling USA Magazine has selected Utah wrestling teams as mid-season picks for top teams in each division, as well as the all-division top teams.  Wasatch High School tops the all-division list, and he predicts that 4A will have a new state championship team.

Utah Editor Bill Kilpack said, "Wasatch seems to be breaking all the molds this year.  Remaining strong with a new coach is extremely impressive.  But having two banner years in a row with two new coaches is unheard of.  They have a quality program and quality athletes, led of course by Cyler Sanderson, the top-ranked 140-pounder in the country, and top-notch athletes like Dallin Norton at 275, Casey Smith at 103, and Tyrell Sweat at 130.  They are definitely the strongest team in 3A, as well as the State of Utah."

The other 3A teams he picks at mid-season are Uintah High School in Vernal at no. 2 and Lehi High School at no. 3.  "Lehi is having a bit of a rought time so far, but I still think they're going to pull out that third-place position," Kilpack said.

At 4A, he predicts that Spanish Fork High School will be unseated as state champions by Brigham City's Box Elder High School.  "Box Elder is just looking tough this year.  They have some serious depth, with potential to place someone in the top three in almost every weight, as well as the possibility of three or four individual state champions.  Spanish Fork just doesn't look as deep so far this year."  The pick for no. 3 is also something of a surprise.  Kilpack predicts it will be Payson High School.  "They are exhibiting more depth than the last few years, with their share of guys who are going to be state champions," he said.  "Three or four state champions and the rest of their guys who will do well will pay off this year." 

For the toughest teams in Utah, regardless of division, Kilpack ranks Wasatch no. 1, followed by Box Elder High School, then Viewmont High School, and Spanish Fork High School as no. 4.  Teams receiving special mention are Alta High School, Millard High School, Uintah High School and Weber High School.

At 5A, he predicts that Viewmont High School will repeat as the championship team, although it will not be a walk-away like last year.  He also picked Davis High School of Layton to come in second, and Weber High School or North Ogden to come in third.  "The real fight in 5A will be for that third-place spot," Kilpack said. 
"Alta High School is looking strong, as well as Riverton High School.  And a team to watch this year is Jordan High School.  They have some freshmen this year that are turning some heads in Ky Lucero (125) and Jonathan Gappmaier (103), as well as some older athletes who are stepping up at 215 and 275.  Not to mention their leader, Steve Freestone at 152."

For 2A, Kilpack predicts that Millar High School out of Fillmore will repeat at state champions, extending their streak of consecutive championships, although it won't be as much of an easy win as the past two seasons.  "Juab High School in Nephi is looking very tough this year, but I just don't think they're going to pull it out enough to unseat Millard," Kilpack said.  The pick for no. 3 is also something of a surprise.  Kilpack predicts it will be South Summit High School, in Kamas.  "They are exhibiting more depth than the last few years," he said.  "Even with Woolstenhume moving to Wasatch, I think that South Summit is going to move up in the 2A ranks." 

For 1A, he predicts "that Altamont will win a much easier championship that the nail-biter they had last year," he said.  "They have so many returning from their state championship team that it's really not that tough to see how that will turn out."  His pick for no. 2 is Rich High School, based on depth, followed by Wayne High School.

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 is Utah Editor for both Wrestling USA Magazine and American Adrenaline Magazine. He coaches an independent freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling program through Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation, Mountain Top Wrestling Club.