Wrestling USA Magazine, Utah Editor's Picks

Outstanding Sophomore Wrestlers for 2004

 

Jake Swensen
North Sanpete High School, 125 lbs.
GPA: 3.5

School Classification: 2A (608 Enrolled)

Swensen is the real deal.  He's powerful and skilled.  It's not often that you can cite a freshman state champion, even more rare when it was done outside the bottom two weight classes.  He continues to be a dominant force in the 125-pound weight class, regardless of the state division he competes against, as illustrated by his second State Championship. 

2004 State Champion (125 lbs), 2003 State Champion (119 lbs.)  2003–2004 Record: 46-2

High School Career Record: 94-5 with 68 Pins.  Freestyle Record: 60-5.  Greco-Roman Record: 71-0.

Following is a summary of Jake's wrestling career so far: 

• Two-Time High School State Champion

• 2003 High School State Championships Outstanding Wrestler

• 2003 Utah Wrestling Coaches Association Freshman of the Year

• 2003 USA Wrestling Cadet Greco-Roman National Champion

• 2001 USA Wrestling National Champion in Freestyle, Greco-Roman and Folkstyle (Triple Crown Winner)

• 2000 USA Wrestling National Champion in Folkstyle (Trinity Winner)

• 1999 USA Wrestling National Champion in Greco-Roman

Wrestling USA Magazine Picks

• Nationally Ranked Utah Wrestler in All-Division Rankings (125 lbs.): No. 16

• Top Ranked Utah Sophomore in National Sophomore Rankings (125 lbs.): No. 4

Utah Wrestling Coaches Association Ranking

• 1st 125 lbs. (3A)

Talan Knox
Brighton High School, 145 lbs.
GPA: 3.8

School Classification: 5A (2,000 Enrolled)

I've watched Knox develop from elementary school.  He's got a work ethic that's rare; he really understands the sport and he loves it.  It's obvious when you watch him wrestle.  Taking second in state as a freshman in a tough weight class is nothing to sneeze at, either.  He is continuing to knock heads and take home top places, such as a silver medal at the Layton Invitational (at 145 lbs.) and taking state as a sophomore. 

2004 State Champion (145 lbs.).  2003–2004 Record: 39-2. 

High School Career Record: 71-17 with 30 Pins.

Following is a summary of Talan's wrestling career so far:

• One-Time High School State Champion

• 2002 USA Wrestling National Champion in Greco-Roman

• Three-Time USA Wrestling Western Regionals Greco-Roman Champion

• Two-Time USA Wrestling Western Regionals Freestyle Champion

• Three-Time USA Wrestling Freestyle State Champion

• Two-Time USA Wrestling Greco-Roman State Champion

• Five-Time USA Wrestling All-American

• 2004 High School Region II Champion

• 2003 High School State Silver Medalist

• 2003 Kids Freestyle World Cup Champion (Boise, ID)

Wrestling USA Magazine Picks

• Nationally Ranked Utah Wrestler in All-Division Rankings (140 lbs.): No. 30

• Top Ranked Utah Sophomore in National Sophomore Rankings (140 lbs.): No. 4

Utah Wrestling Coaches Association Ranking

• 1st 140 lbs. (5A)